LUFKIN… Santa arrived two days early for five Angelina County non-profits and the people they serve. Bells were ringing at noon Dec. 23, when Brookshire Brothers and Santa "made" Christmas for the Alzheimer's Association, the Friends of the Ellen Trout Zoo, the Lufkin State School, the Boys and Girls Club of East Texas and the Angelina Alliance for Children. Santa strolled into the Education Center of the Ellen Trout Zoo and pulled $100,000 out of his sack! Each organization received $20,000.

The funds came from two charity golf tournaments Brookshire Brothers held in 2008. The 500 vendors who do business with the grocery chain pay for the privilege of playing in the tournaments at Crown Colony Country Club. The entry fees help raise the dollars that Brookshire Brothers in turn "gifts" to its designated non-profit organizations. However, these organizations are not the only ones that benefit from these out of town dollars. More than 375 golfers spend a minimum of one night in Angelina County. Tourism experts estimate a visitor spends a minimum of $100 during an overnight stay on food, lodging and gas. That translates into $37,500 just for starters! Those dollars go on to turn over multiple times within the community generating tax revenues and real dollars for business.

"It's the best possible scenario," Brookshire Brothers Public Relations Director Gloria McDonald said. "Our vendors come in from all over the place and bring in 'outside' dollars that we are able to give to these organizations that do so much for the people of Angelina County. Brookshire Brothers simply provides the 'vehicle' to get those dollars here - two incredibly fun golf tournaments!"

McDonald praised the organizations for the "good works" they do for the thousands of people they serve. They are definitely on Santa's "nice list" year end and year out!