On the eve of opening the first children’s homestead at the Big Springs Ranch for Children, back in 1998, a town meeting was held at the courthouse in Leakey, 9 miles south of the Ranch, as a requirement for state licensing of new children’s homes. The community had understandable concerns about the potential impact of such a facility on their small town of 400, nestled in one of Texas’ most beautiful and remote valleys.

Some questioned its impact on an already crowded local school district. Some had concerns about previous experiences with foster children living in town. Some just didn’t want their community to change. At one point, the mood of the crowd grew negative.

At that moment, one courageous woman stood and addressed the citizens. "This is our opportunity," she said, "to welcome homeless and abused children into our midst. Our faith tells us what to do."

Her name was Pat Hamman, and her stand at that meeting began a process of partnership that has produced amazing results. At the same time, another citizen, Judy Taylor of Barksdale, wrote a letter to Ranch officials and the local newspaper, declaring the same sentiments. The two women soon met and organized the "Friends of Big Springs Ranch for Children", aka the Big Springs Auxiliary. Pat and Judy agreed to serve as the organizations’ first co-presidents.

While the buildings were under construction at the Ranch, local residents became actively involved, through the Auxiliary, in preparing a welcome for the first children – four girls, who came to the Ranch in the spring of 1999.

In April of 1999, the group hosted the Fourth Annual Big Springs Ranch Picnic to dedicate the first children’s homestead, and the "picnic" suddenly morphed from a small gathering of friends of Oma Bell Perry and HCYR, to become an annual event averaging 400 guests who come to see the yearly progress of the Ranch. The Auxiliary kept growing, and in November of 2000, adopted formal by-laws, installing Leakey resident Sue Neihart serving as president.

Oma Bell Perry, who donated the historic 7000-acre Ranch, was an active member of the BSRC Auxiliary, attending meetings, telling stories, and giving time to the group’s efforts. She agreed to be Grand Marshall of the 2001 July 4^th Parade, riding on a float made by the children. With the help of the Auxiliary, a bridge to the community had been built.

By the end of 2001, Auxiliary membership had grown to over 100! This was quite amazing considering that Leakey’s documented population was just under 400.

The Auxiliary saw to it that the Ranch children were involved in every local activity, from decorating Christmas trees in the town square to participating in "Relay for Life", the annual fund-raiser for cancer research.

Basic needs were met. As buildings continued going up, and new children arrived, the Auxiliary provided each child with a welcome basket, then a birthday cake and gift, along with Christmas gifts and other treats throughout the year.

While serving as president, Sue Neihart approached long time Leakey residents, Johnnie and Diane Hirst, asking if Diane’s family store on the courthouse square could be used as a Thrift Store. Diane readily agreed, and many joined to clean, paint and arrange the store for its grand opening in March 2001.

The Big Springs Thrift Store, open Thursday – Saturday, provides bargains for shoppers, and its income is donated back to the Ranch to help with the basic costs of care, and activities for the children.

Trudy Brune of Fredericksburg, who, with husband Ed, has funded numerous building projects at both campuses, joined both the Real County Auxiliary and its Kerr County sister, helping forge a partnership between the two groups. As a result, Real County members have helped with Kerr County Auxiliary events, supporting the annual Style Show and Silent Auction held each September in Kerrville.

In 2002, Trudy proposed the idea that each child should receive a home-made quilt upon their first Christmas living at the Ranch. She began to make several quilts herself, while also enlisting members of the BSRC Auxiliary and Friends of the Library, another Leakey group. Since 2002, over 75 quilts have been hand-made and presented to the children, each with an embroidered label reading, "When you sleep under a quilt, you are covered by love". The quilts are presented to the children during their annual Auxiliary-sponsored Christmas party, when the children, staff and volunteers gather to sing carols, eat, and celebrate.

With their Auxiliary sponsors leading the way, BSRC children have become involved citizens. Each year, as Leakey celebrates July 4^th by hosting a parade down main street, the Big Springs Ranch entry has become standard fare. In fact, BSRC has won the 1^st place award three times, with Miss Oma Bell riding on the first two floats.

In honor of Miss Perry, the Auxiliary created a fund, aptly named the "Oma Bell Perry Scholarship Fund", for BSRC graduates who wish to continue their education. This year, the Auxiliary has given grants to three seniors at Ed Brune High School (see story, page 1).

The Auxiliary also enjoys sponsoring special trips for children to the IMAX Theater, Globetrotters basketball games and Splashtown, among other destinations.

The BSRC Auxiliary continues to set "firsts" as it grows. Current President Johnnie Hirst is the first male president for either Auxiliary. Johnnie considers this a great honor, as well as a great deal of work. "Keeping up with all these women is a real pleasure, and a real chore," Johnnie jokes.

If you are interested in helping the BSRC Auxiliary with any of its projects, or would like more information regarding membership, please contact Auxiliary President Johnnie Hirst at (830) 232-5451.

The Thrift Store is in need of additional volunteers, as well as quality items that can be sold. If you are able to donate a few hours of your time to help, please contact Store Manager, Francis Cassillas at the Store, 232-6589, or stop by during store hours.

According to Executive Director Gary Priour, "Our volunteer groups are the bedrock of our ministry. We would not be the same without them."

Left: Pat Hamman, shown hosting a reception in 2000, was the Big Springs Auxiliary’s first co-president. She and fellow Real County resident Judy Taylor organized the Real County Auxiliary in 1999, in conjunction with the opening of the first children’s homestead at BSRC. Right: Miss Oma Bell Perry, who donated the Big Springs Ranch to HCYR in 1996, displays a hand-made quilt which was raffled by the Auxiliary to raise funds in 2001. Miss Perry participated actively in the development of the children’s home until her death in 2003.