There are those who learn to serve and then there are those who are born with a heart to serve. I first learned about Samantha Rodriguez through a circulating Facebook post that caught my attention. It didn’t take any time at all to learn that Samantha was born with a heart to serve and her passion to help others was obvious from just a moment spent getting to know her.
The Facebook post I came across read similar to this, “Benefit for Pathways Youth & Family Services Pop in Holiday Micro-Minis. The more you donate the more images you will receive!” When I saw this I was intrigued because it was just so different from what I was used to seeing when it comes to toy collections during the holidays. I asked Samantha to further elaborate on this Facebook post and she explained, “My friend April Conway works for Pathways Youth & Family Services and in casual conversation we were talking about getting donations for the kids for Christmas. When she sent me the amazon link to their wish list, I noticed there were still tons of things on there and I was trying to think how I could help.”
This is where Samantha decided to do something different – she decided to use her skills as a unique way to get others to donate toys or money that will later be used to purchase toys for children in need this Christmas season. Samantha owns Samantha Rodriguez Photography, LLC and she has her own studio in revitalized downtown Brownwood. On Saturday, December 4th, during the Sipping under the Stars event she will be at her studio doing some Pop in Mini Sessions for donations. During that event on Saturday you can stop by the studio between 4 and 8 p.m. and bring either a cash or toy donation in exchange for some holiday pictures by Samantha. In her own words she shared her excitement to get to serve in this unique way, “I always let my kids pick off an angel tree, pick out and or donate to other kids at Christmas, but this is so much more fun! I get to use my skills and passion to help kids get a Christmas!”
Through further conversation with Samantha I learned that she has been serving foster children since she was in grade school. Because of her father’s work she remembers moving around a lot as a child. But her most valued memories are of the time she spent in the foster homes her family would serve in and her interactions with those kids. She recalled a memory where her dad dressed as Santa and she as an elf and they delivered Christmas presents to multiple children in various foster homes and she said, “The look on their faces was priceless!”
She explained why she continually chooses to serve in this way. She said “I grew up very blessed and I have always been taught to serve and to help when and where I can. As a mom to 4, my heart breaks for any child that does not have a loving home or even the basic life necessities and I just want to do whatever I can.”
Samantha offered the following encouragement to someone who might be on the fence about donating toys or money to these children. “As a Christian, I know that the season of Christmas is about more than presents, however for a child that is a part of the magic of Christmas. It brings joy to receive something that was meant for just you! So if you are on the fence about helping, I am going to pull on those heart strings a bit. Imagine a child, who already is feeling misplaced, waking up on Christmas morning to nothing. If we can bring just a little joy, how amazing would that be! It doesn’t have to be extravagant as every little bit helps. If you can’t help financially or with a toy, maybe try volunteering your time, maybe wrapping the gifts or even just praying for all these kids and families.”
Samantha and her dedication to serve others is a beautiful example of the kind hearts housed right here in Brown County and she is confident the community will come together to make Christmas magical for those kids in need this year. If you wish to give to this event please see Samantha Saturday December 4th at her studio located at 408 Center Ave, she will be available 4 to 8 p.m. or you can call the Pathway Youth & Family Services directly at 325-692-4048.
[Story by Miranda Windham]
