PLACES TO GO Around the Neighborhood Pages 2-3
WEST SIDE STORIES Jill Skinner Page 4
INSIDE Great Futures Gala
INSIDE Settlement Home for Children
Page 7
RiverCity
VOLUME 38 ISSUE 12 - SINCE 1986
W E S TA U S T I N N E W S . C O M
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DEC. 18, 2025
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WARM HEARTS AND HOLIDAY CHEER
Down Home Ranch’s Hot Cocoa Stroll Delights Community By Anne DeVries On December 13, Down Home Ranch (DHR), located in Elgin, Texas, held its annual Hot Cocoa Stroll. Attendees enjoyed a day of fun on the 410-acre working farm and residential community, which empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful, purpose-driven lives. Founded in 1989, Down Home Ranch offers a supportive environment where individuals with cognitive disabilities find a sense of belonging and thrive through residential living, vocational training in areas such as the plant nursery and crafts, and enriching activities, including camps and events. Sales from the nursery, open monthly to
able for purchase. These pointhe community, and events settias, grown in the Ranch’s like the Hot Cocoa Stroll help nursery, serve as a vital sustain their programs. fundraising element, yielding Diana Daw, Director of 15,000 poinsettias annually. Development for DHR, was front and center at the Hot Co- Sales support the community’s programs, making the Christcoa Stroll, greeting guests and mas season an active time for ensuring the occasion flowed residents, staff, and volunteers. seamlessly. “It’s a privilege to Poinsettia sales also offer be here every day,” she shared. valuable fundraising opportuniThe event featured a $15 ties for numerous local commukeepsake mug for purchase, nity organizations. During the allowing sampling of delicious holiday season, various groups Rancher-crafted cocoa at variin the Austin area purchase the ous stops across their campus. high-quality poinsettias from The stroll featured s’mores, DHR at wholesale prices and recrafts, concessions, a bake sell them to support their own sale, a cake walk, and holiday initiatives. Volunteers and staff photography sessions. assist with tasks such as packA key highlight was the ing plants, ensuring they reach Holiday Plant and Poinsettia Sale, where vibrant poinsettias homes and offices, by personal delivery if requested. and other greenery were availCONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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