Local car club the Heartland Cruisers recently held their annual Rod Run and donated the proceeds on Thursday to Good Samaritan Ministries.  The donation of $2000 will benefit the food bank at GSM.

The Heartland Rod Run was held on Friday, May 31st through Saturday, June 1st at Riverside Park in Brownwood.  The Heartland Cruisers and their sponsors put together what is quickly becoming one of Brown County’s signature events attracting visitors from around the state.

This year, the car show featured over 300 classic cars and motorcycles along with great food offered by the Early Band Boosters.

Good Samaritan Ministries assists approximately 1030 families each month, up from 930 last year.  Currently, GSM is working on two fundraisers, Christmas In July and Massimo utility vehicle (UTV) raffle.

The Christmas In July fundraiser benefits the Christmas Box ministry, which gives families the staples needed to make a traditional holiday meal, including a hen to roast.  There were 1,363 families given Christmas boxes along with their regular grocery staples in December of 2012 according to Angelia Bostick, Executive Director of GSM.   She explained that each year that number has increased and that the ministry has no reason to believe this year will be any different.  In fact, GSM officials anticipate 1,400 families this December – which Bostick believes is a conservative number.

At $30 a box, $42,000 needs to be raised in order to cover the cost of Christmas food (and that does not include the cost of regular grocery staples given out during December.

This year, donations to the Christmas in July campaign have fallen very short.  Before the Heartland Cruisers’ donation, GSM reported only $2,000 had been given as of the 19th.  Bostick and her staff ask families and organizations to consider sponsoring at least one box or to consider having a food drive to benefit Good Samaritan.

A Massimo UTV raffle is also underway and will benefit the GSM’s Deer Project.  The lucky winner of the UTV will be determined through a drawing to be held on September 28th at Big Country Ford.  Tickets are available for a $10 donation and those donating $100 will receive 2 free tickets.  Tickets may be purchased at Big Country Ford, Hawk Hill Sales, TexasBank, Good Samaritan Ministries, Wendlee Broadcasting or from any Deer Project team member.

The Deer Project is a program that allows hunters to donate legally tagged deer to Good Samaritan Ministries to feed hungry families in Brown County.  Local processors will process donated deer for the minimal price of one dollar per pound of venison for the Deer Project. The meat is very healthy, high protein and low fat, according to Bostick.

Anyone who is interested in the Deer Project or the Christmas in July campaign may call 643-2273 for more information or stop by 305 Clark Street.  If you’d like to make a donation to help cover cost of processing or a Christmas box, mail it to P.O. Box 1136, Brownwood, TX 76804; bring it by 305 Clark Street or make a payment online via PayPal at