By Brynna Williamson
“Tips for Tots.” You may or may not have heard of it, but to the foster children of Wood County, Texas, it’s a big deal.
Tips for Tots is an annual event hosted by the Wood County Child Protection Board (WCCPB). In 2024, the blowout event was in its ninth year.
What Tips for Tots does is raise money to go towards Wood County’s foster kids. Of course, that’s a wonderful cause, but it’s impossible to really wrap your mind around just how wonderful it is until you see the list of some of the things they do:
- Monthly allowances
- Birthday money
- Christmas party, which is complete with unique gifts chosen for each child
- Special assistance, like summer camps, prom, senior rings, etc.
- And much more!
The WCCPB, through the Tips for Tots event and through private donations, even has a “Rainbow Room.” This is a place for caseworkers to bring kids taken under the wing of the state so they can get whatever they need and many of the things that they want. Through the Rainbow Room, the WCCPB even provides Wood County, Texas kids with brand new “stuffies” and “blankies” after they have been taken out of a situation involving methamphetamines.
“If a child is being taken out of their parents’ custody, and there are methamphetamines involved, that child doesn’t get to bring anything with them,” said Denea Hudman, the vice president for the WCCPB. “What is a beautiful thing that comes from this (event), and so many members of our community—we have blankets, baby dolls, car seats—we have every single thing they need. And we have beautiful case workers that give them love.”
As Hudman said, imagine that you’re a little kid, and in one night, “you had to leave your mommy and daddy.” You had to leave behind your teddy bear, your blankie, your nice, soft bed, and all of your clothes. You didn’t know what was happening, and you’re too little to fully understand. Where would you be without a place like the WCCPB to give you clothes, a new stuffed animal, and a hug?
Thanks to Sponsors and Participants Like You
That’s why Tips for Tots is so important: It helps provide for the physical, emotional, and mental needs of Wood County, Texas kids when they really need it.
Luckily, the Wood County community has recognized its importance; and boy, did they show up to support the WCCPB cause. In fact, during 2024’s Tips for Tots event, WCCPB treasurer, Shelly Griffin, said that the community raised more than $30,000 for the kids, thanks to the sponsors and participants alike.
“So I thank you! Like, when I say ‘thank you,’ I really mean thank you,” said Hudman, who was tearing up. “Because you do fulfill needs by your $100 car washes, nail salon (auction items), coolers, etc. We really, really, really appreciate your help.”
They auctioned off more than 30 items, some of which went for $500 or more. People nominated others to bid on items, people outbid themselves in order to give more money, and people joked and laughed with one another.
In fact, even auctioneer Shannon Davis interrupted his own auction for a “car care kit and oil change” at Main Street Tire & Lube in Yantis to pause and laugh with a bidder: “Seventy, eighty, eighty dollars, eighty, ninety, hundred, hundred doll—you don’t never go to Yantis, what are ‘ya bidding on that for?” he joked to a member of the crowd.
That donated item sold for $100.
It Takes a Village
Although those who donated big money to auction items were greatly appreciated, Hudman says that Tips for Tots is not just about those who donated the most. According to her, a woman approached Hudman after the event and handed her a plastic bag full of homemade necklaces featuring cross charms. “She said, ‘I can’t afford all this (auctioning), but I make necklaces, and I want you to have these to give to the girls,’” Hudman explained.
That meant a lot to Hudman.
“It literally takes all of us, everybody, from the girl who donated the little necklaces last night to our corporate sponsors who paid $500 for cakes,” she said. “It’s a rich blessing that I’m so grateful to be a part of.”
And the Village Came
If you weren’t at the event, you might not be able to picture just how community oriented it felt. Everyone present opened their hearts and their wallets to give to the kids. From the woman who donated necklaces, to a couple who stayed afterwards to purchase a random item that had been forgotten during the live auction, to the organizations who outbid themselves just to donate more, the Wood County, Texas community really did their part.
“I’ll tell you what—everyone really does step up when it comes to the needs of our community,” said Griffin. “I stayed up (that) night because I couldn’t calm down; how do you calm down after something like that?” she added with a laugh.
If you looked in the Tips for Tots crowd, you would have seen some of our local mayors. You would have seen school superintendents. You would have seen board presidents. You would have seen many church congregations, and many other well-known citizens and officials from across Wood County. And you would have seen ordinary people like you and me.
Be proud of your community, because they were there when Wood County kids needed them.