AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Tejano Music Coalition (ATMC) held its 12th annual Toy Drive and Dance that benefits the Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) Brown Santa program to help families annually. The toy drive and dance featuring Marcos Orozco y Rebelde and Austin-based opening act Los Marceles had approximately 450 attendees who arrived to provide toys or monetary donations.
Louis Moncivais, TCSO Senior Deputy Chairman, Board of Directors confirmed to ATMC that their efforts this year yielded a total of 2000 toys. Christina Gonzales, Vice President of ATMC, stated this toy drive amount surpassed all the previous years of hosting the toy drive. Moncivais stated this year marks 12 years of working with ATMC and he and the board of directors are very grateful to ATMC for continuing this annual drive.
ATMC is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, educating, and sharing Tejano culture and music. The Toy Drive is one of the organization’s signature annual events. The established yearly event received support from donors, both individuals and businesses, including Gloria Elizondo, Adam’s Canopy (Adam Gonzales), Juan in a Million (Juan and Myrna Meza), J. Colunga Body & Paint (John Colunga), Precinct Four Commissioner Margaret Gómez and The Trail Conservancy.
KOKE Tejano 1600 in Austin has been an integral part of the annual ATMC and Brown Santa Toy Drive since the beginning. The terrestrial station in Austin has broadcasted Tejano music for the past several decades and informs the community of events. This is a remarkable collaboration to help our fellow citizens. Joe Morales and Bobby Velasquez generously provide emcee duties on stage, and these are voices that the radio listeners have come to know and follow.
It was very evident that people were ready to dance to Tejano music when the venue was solidly packed with people arriving early to secure their tables. One couple was on the dance floor during the sound check and that set the tone for the rest of the evening. By the time Marcos Orozco y Rebelde took the stage, attendees danced from the first to the last song. Austin was a tourist attraction that afternoon with individuals and groups attending from surrounding cities/counties to dance and donate.
Travis County Sheriff’s Brown Santa program depends on the generosity of individuals, groups, and businesses in the community to provide items for less fortunate fellow citizens. Brown Santa’s goal is to raise $50,000 in donations which is the minimum to cover the cost of the food and toys. At the event on December 10th, Moncivais stated that they have 8,000 people in need this year – much higher than last year’s applicants. The program serves families that have children 14 years old and younger. Gifts for the children are provided as well as food for the family.
The TCSO Brown Santa program was established as a community-based operation to help families in the Travis County area. The program will begin deliveries to families December 16-17. Monetary donations to purchase food for family boxes are appreciated. A tax-deductible donation can be made through various methods at https://www.brownsanta.org/donate/ or call 512-247-2682 for more information.
By Liz Lopez
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