AUSTIN, TX — 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, has confirmed to ATMC that their efforts this year yielded 2000 toys. Christina Gonzales, Vice President of ATMC, stated this toy drive amount surpassed all the previous years of hosting the toy drive. Moncivais noted 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 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 integral to the annual ATMC and Brown Santa Toy Drive. The terrestrial station in Austin has broadcasted Tejano music for the past several decades and informs the community of events. This event is a remarkable collaboration to help our fellow citizens. Joe Morales and Bobby Velasquez generously provide emcee duties on stage, which are voices that the radio listeners have come to know and follow.
It was 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, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. When Marcos Orozco and Rebelde took the stage, attendees danced from the first song to the last. That afternoon, Austin was a tourist attraction, with individuals and groups from surrounding cities/counties attending 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 and food for the family are provided.
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.