A World For Children is a “growing” family and each year we have a “family reunion” where all the families and staff gather for a huge picnic.  
What an event!  Over 800 folks attended our “gathering” last year.  We had buses from El Paso, the Valley, Corpus Christi and vans and cars from Dallas, East Texas, Houston, San Antonio, greater Austin, Brownwood  areas.  We stand at the gate of and wave our folks in.  Fun and fellowship and lots of food are the priorities. 

Our children gather from across the state to “PLAY”.  The 20 acre home of our super foster family Derrell and Mary Moore is transformed in to a “kid’s paradise” with a large array of rides and activities including  - climbing wall, velcro wall, inflatable slide, bungee run, dunking booth, karaoke, ball pit, inflatable obstacle course, moon walks, balloon artist, 36’tiger slide, horse and buggy, super dome bouncer, trackless train, face painting, artic expedition, slip n’slide, puppet show, and the list goes on.  In addition to fun activities, the staff set up fabulous food booths including frito pie, barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, snow cones, cotton candy, carne guisada, tamales, and a host of sides and deserts.  One child entered the food area and ask the staff  “how much is a hot dog?”  The staff replied “Honey you don’t need money for anything.”  The child left with lots of goodies.  Another child stepped up to the frito pie booth, the staff asked, “haven’t you eaten a lot of frito pies today?”  The child grinned and said “Yes, this is my tenth one and they are soooooooo good!”  What a treat to see kids be kids and enjoy the event.  Another fun activity is the cooking contest - families bring delicious desserts– we have the best cooks ever – must be one of the requirements to foster – the volunteers love this judging assignment!

Our staff  were brought to tears following last year’s picnic as a staff member shared this story:

“I was manning the inflatable slide, as I watched a young girl assist a little boy.  She laid his crutches down and gently helped him maneuver to the top.  After much effort the little boy and girl came down the slide together, after which she helped him again with his crutches.  Our staff member was so moved she went over to talk with them.  She was told, “That’s my little brother, he lives in a different town.”  Nothing else needed to be said, and our staffer had hard time keeping her eyes off of them as the little nurturer assisted her brother from one fun activity to the other.”