On Saturday, September 10, a fundraiser was held to initiate an effort to build a new livestock show barn in San Saba. As most people know, the current show barn is very old, cold and inadequate. For many years 4H, FFA, Young Farmers, Rodeo Association, Ag Departments at the three local high schools, and interested individuals have wanted to find a way to get a new facility for the youth of San Saba County. But, it will take a LOT of money, time and effort to accomplish such a goal. This was a first step in that direction.
Saturday’s kickoff event was a polo match between the San Saba Polo Club and Brookshire Polo Club. It was held at Tommy Lee Jones’ Fleming Springs Ranch just east of the City. The idea of a fundraising polo event was proposed by Tommy Lee Jones and his wife, Dawn. Tommy Lee was born in San Saba and lived here during his early childhood. Wanting to give back to the Community, he heard of the need for a new livestock show barn and saw this as the perfect opportunity to support the youth and the people of our City and County. So, the Joneses contacted the Community Foundation of San Saba County and solicited their joining in this effort because of their experience and success with the Foundation’s annual Catkins Ball and their active involvement in the City and County.
The Joneses planned and coordinated the polo match, and it was a sanctioned by the U.S. Polo Association. The Joneses secured the teams, provided the field and facilities, and are making a financial donation toward the fundraising goal. They have also expressed their desire to make this an annual event. The Community Foundation managed the staging, food and beverage, entertainment and related activities. Assistance also came from members of other organizations (polo clubs, 4H/FFA/Young Farmers, etc.), Lee Hoffpauir (shuttle vehicles/drivers), San Saba Sheriff’s Department, Hamilton EMS, Hawkeye Printing, Michelle Barker (program/ graphics), and Rebecca Whitley (website coordinator).
The event was attended by approximately 150 people: Ticket purchasers, Community Foundation members and wives, plus 25 members of polo teams and related participants. There was a social hour preceding the polo match – a champagne divot stomp at halftime – a sit-down dinner catered by Pecan House Grill – and entertainment by Presley Grace, 17-yr-old singer/ performer from Austin.
Total funds raised is expected to be over $100,000 from ticket sales and donations, including a $50,000 matching contribution from The Community Foundation from funds raised at their annual Catkins Ball.
The Community Foundation will now be leading a coordinated effort to pull together all interested organizations, individuals, schools, and City and County governments to join forces in pursuing this goal. Most all of these groups have already been contacted, and interest is high. Information on possible sites is being gathered, and visits are being made to similar facilities in other communities. Of particular interest are multi-use properties which would add value on a year-round basis rather than just a one-time event.
Tax deductible contributions to this project can be made by mail to: The Community Foundation of San Saba County, Inc., P.O. Box 331, San Saba, Texas 76877. Anyone interested in helping with this project can obtain more information by contacting the Community Foundation at 325/372-5613.
The Community Foundation of San Saba County, Inc. was organized in 2007 as a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to the enhancement of community life in San Saba County through programs, activities and facilities in support of education, recreation, culture, historic preservation, literacy, and art. Past donations, along with proceeds from the organization’s annual Catkins Ball, have allowed the Foundation to restore the historic Estep-Burleson Building (sometimes called the Burden Hotel or Burden Plaza) on the courthouse square, the San Saba County Courthouse Annex (formerly housed the City National Bank), help preserve the Wedding Oak tree, restore and remodel the Garden Club building (old 1875 era grist mill) in Mill Pond Park, help with the construction of native rock retaining walls around the gazebo in Mill Pond Park, and convert the old Menchaca service station into a visitors center with sorely needed public restrooms for the downtown area.