Musical notes of Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer greeted more than 100 foster children and parents as they entered the upstairs of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum (CTHM) on December 12. It was time, once again, to attend the Holiday Celebration of Foster/Adopted Families Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE).
The annual Christmas party started in 2011 after Viola Holman and her daughter, Ethosha, visited the CTHM. She wanted to share her experience.
“I toured it (CTHM). Oh my God! Some of our children have not seen a museum like this!” Holman said.
“Mama, why don’t you do a program, a Christmas program, and invite them to tour the museum and feed them?” her daughter suggested.
And so, it began. Throughout the years, CTHM Chairman Robert Oliver has been their sponsor for the building until the COVID pandemic, and all celebrations ceased, with the last one being in 2019.
Now, in 2024, with a few tweaks and adjustments, the Tri-City Empowerment Council (TCEC) has brought back the celebration this year in full gala. Following tradition, Holman and the event committee (TCEC and Upbring-Foster in Texas) chose Thursdays so that children could enjoy hot chocolate and Christmas- lighted scenes while riding through Cuero Christmas in the Park as the finale after a tour through CTHM, the Meaning of Christmas play and bountiful tables of foods.
Mayor Emil Garza greeted the crowd of families and children after their tour of the museum.
“This is a great, great place to have a gathering. Hopefully, you picked something that piqued your interest, and you’re going to come back!” Garza said.
He talked about the history of the Chisholm Trail and its cowboys. “It also showcases the locals (people) that I had a chance to watch in rodeos. They had the Black Cowboy exhibit here,” Garza reminisced.
Looking over the audience, CTHM Director Robert Oliver spoke about the history of the museum and how it started about 25 years ago. “It’s really wonderful to see such a diverse crowd,” he said as he went on to speak about the Black Cowboy exhibit and past Juneteenth celebrations at CTHM.
The Council recognized Viola Holman for her years of service.
“I’m 73, and I haven’t cried this much in my whole life!” she exclaimed. Holman talked about the community's generosity and hard work in bringing such programs to fruition.
“I know you. I see you. I’ve been a foster parent for 18 years. We ended up adopting four out of almost 130 foster kids. I thank God for them,” Holman said and thanked Mr. and Mrs. Barnett from Goliad, who had been with her through the journey.
She explained her reasons for hosting the party: “I want to honor you for the love and ministry that God has given you in caring for others. You have a servant's heart, and an even greater gift is your parent’s heart. You are dedicated to nurturing these children until they find their forever families.”
The children and families went home with the wonderment of God’s blessing, Christmas- lighted spirits, generous love of community, full tummies, gift cards, and the music of the Yorktown Wildcat Christmas Ensemble led by Band Director Larry Barnett.
Foster Party Contributors: Robert Oliver of Chisholm Trail Museum, Nathan & Connie of Cuero Walmart, Beverly Kuecker of Diamon Services LLC, Pastor Coppedge of Freedom Life Church, Amherst of Cuero, St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church, My Father’s House Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, DeWitt County Brotherhood, Sandra Osman of Cuero Main Street, Foster Parents of Victoria, Conoco Phillips, Cuero Pecan House, Domino’s Pizza of Cuero, Cuero HEB, Bush’s Chicken, La Bella Tavola
