It's December 2020 and that means it's times to ramp up efforts for TITFF's 3rd Annual Alamo Christmas Celebration! This years date will be December 19, 2020, 6pm at the Alamo Christmas Tree in front of the Alamo. The History According to a caption on a Dec 3, 1974, photo of a Christmas Tree going up, San Antonio's tradition of a Christmas Tree in Alamo Plaza can be traced back to the start of World War 1 in 1914, long before the Riverwalk existed or became the city's big magnet for yuletide celebration. This Is Texas Freedom Force (TITFF) uncovered another photo of a smaller Christmas Tree at the Alamo dated 1890, so the tradition has been around for a long time. For years HEB had donated a large 55ft Christmas Tree that was placed in Alamo Plaza where Texans & tourist alike could come and take their family Christmas photo at. It was a Texas tradition. In 2017, San Antonio's District 1 City Councilman Roberto Trevino, decided to end that tradition without any say from Texans. This is the same councilman who led the effort to remove the Travis Park Monument in 2017 and he is the same councilman who attempted to move/remove the Alamo Cenotaph from the 1836 footprint. TITFF fought Trevino on the removal of both monuments and we were successful and stopping his push to move/remove the Alamo Cenotaph in 2020. Removing the big Christmas Tree in front of the Alamo was met with many angry Texans, not only from San Antonio, but from across the Lone Star State. TITFF couldn't believe that not only was he trying to destroy our Texas History, but now he wanted to destroy Texas's Christmas Tradition. We decided it was time for us to act and keep that tradition alive, so we volunteered to take a Christmas Tree to Alamo Plaza, invite Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Texas Santa, Mrs. Texas Claus, and their elf's out to take pictures with the people in Alamo Plaza by the Christmas Tree. At the same time, Texans began placing tiny Christmas Trees in front of the Alamo and leaving them as a sign that the people of Texas wanted our Alamo Christmas Tree. After much push back, HEB offered to place a smaller Christmas Tree in Alamo Plaza and Councilman Roberto Trevino caved to the pressure of Texans & their tradition, and allowed the smaller Christmas Tree to be put up. TITFF went ahead and held their 1st Annual Alamo Christmas Tree Celebration in front of the Alamo in 2017. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Texas Santa, Mrs. Texas Claus and their elf's took pictures with Texans and tourist alike that year. Not only that but TITFF & Texans donated over $1,500 dollars for toys and Santa handed out toys to every child that came to take a picture at the Alamo. Santa's Elf's handed out cookies and milk to those waiting in line to see Santa, it was the start of a glorious new Texas tradition at the Alamo. The Reason For The Celebration The 1st Annual Alamo Christmas Tree Celebration brought joy and cheer to many Texans & tourist. Just the smiles alone of the kids and their families was enough to warm the hearts of the TITFF family and bring joy to their Christmas season. But there was one incident that put the celebration over the top. While Santa & Mrs. Claus were standing next to the Christmas Tree, TITFF Directors were out around the plaza asking children and their parents if they wanted a pic with Santa and a toy. 2017 TITFF Director Keri was walking the plaza when she saw a mother with her 4 kids (ages 2 years to 10 years old). She stopped and asked the kids "Do y'all want to get your picture taken with Santa in front of the Alamo? "You'll get a free toy!" The kids all shouted yes and began begging their mom to take them to go see Santa. The mother quietly asked the TITFF Director, so the kids couldn't hear "How much is it"? Director Keri told her, "It's free"! The mother began to tear up and cry. Director Keri gave her a hug and asked what was wrong. The mother began to tell Director Keri that 2017 had been tough on her because she was a single mom, lost her job, and was sad that she couldn't afford to take the kids to see Santa that year. She explained that the kids would only receive one present each and she had to do without just to ensure that the kids got that. The mother had been praying for some type of help and she was crying now because she felt that prayer had been answered. Director Keri gave her another hug and walked them over to Santa & Mrs. Claus. Santa was excited to see all the kids! Big Texas size smiles were seen on every one of the kid's face as they each took turns taking individual pics with Santa & then a group pic with mom and the kids with Santa. Each kid got a Christmas cookie and some milk and then Mrs. Claus reached into Santa's bag of presents and gave each one of the kids a toy. The true meaning of Christmas was captured in this moment that night in front of the Alamo. Not only were the kids and mother happy, but every TITFF volunteer smiled ear to ear as the night came to a close knowing they had helped make the Texas family's Christmas . It was so powerful TITFF decided to host the Alamo Christmas Tree Celebration every year. Donate to help buy toys.TITFF is accepting toys & donations to buy the toys. If you would like to donate to help buy these toys for the kids you can do so at PayPal.me/TexasFreedomForce or simply click on the black box below titled "DONATE FOR TOYS". If you would like to buy the toys yourself you can do so at our toy drop off location in San Antonio. The "Toy Drop-off Location" will be on December 12, 2020 from 1pm-4pm at Cowboys Dance Hall Parking Lot located at 3030 NE Loop 410 San Antonio, Texas 78217. Please help donate for toys so we can reach more kids! This Is Texas Freedom Force is a nonprofit organization (501C3). Our motto is "Protectors Of All Things Texas". Donations can be used as a tax write off. 2020Alamo Christmas Tree CelebrationTITFF will be hosting our 3rd Annual Alamo Christmas Tree Celebration on December 19, 2020 - 6pm - at the Alamo by the Alamo Christmas Tree. Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus will arrive around 6pm and start taking pictures with the kids & adults. It is free to come take your picture with Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus. Toys will only be handed out to kids younger than 13 years old and it's first come first serve. Once the toys run out Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus will continue to take pics until 8pm. TITFF Medical Team will be taking temperatures of all volunteers and those in line to see Santa as a precaution. Hand sanitizer will be available for the public provided by TITFF . Come out and keep the tradition alive in 2020. We'll see you at the Alamo!
December 19, 2020 6:00pm-8:00pm The Alamo Christmas Tree
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