Every year for the past five years, Warden Butch Head, Assistant Warden Brigett Bowers, and the Rio Grande Detention Center (RGDC) team celebrate “Christmas Wishes on the Rio Grande.”
The RDGC team purchases hundreds of toys, shoes, and goody bags to donate to the kids at three Head Start schools located in Laredo, El Cenizo, and Rio Bravo, Texas.
The Head Start program is a comprehensive child development and early education program for low-income children, ages one to five years old.
For many of the kids enrolled in the Head Start program, the Christmas gifts they receive from “Christmas Wishes on the Rio Grande” may be the only Christmas gifts they receive that year.
In 2014, The GEO Group Foundation with the help of other organizations and individuals such as the U.S. Marshals Southern District Laredo Office, Keefe, Global Tel*Inc (GTL), Target Texas Consulting, and GEO’s Central Regional Director, Reed Smith, were able to donate approximately 500 gifts to 250 kids.
RGDC always invites guest such as the representatives from the Federal Judge’s office, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar‘s office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and most importantly Santa Claus.
All of the donors, guests, and GEO’s own Santa Claus hand deliver the toys to the children of the Head Start schools. The kids always have bright smiles and are full of joy when they see Santa. In appreciation of the gifts, all of the different class rooms put on dance performances for Santa, thanking him for the Christmas gifts. “Christmas Wishes on the Rio Grande” is true reflection of RGDC’s great work and commitment to their community.
