Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
The Cedar Creek Lake Parrot Head Club gathers to accept a Business of the Month Award presented by Ally Kartal (center) at the March 14 Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. 

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Henderson County Commissioner Pct. 2 Scott Tuley speaks to chamber members about the positive growth of the Gun Barrel City Toys for Tots program during the March 14 chamber luncheon. 

CEDAR CREEK LAKE—During the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, guest speaker Commissioner Pct. 2 Scott Tuley spoke about the growth of the Gun Barrel City Toys for Tots program. 
Tuley explained that a former Gun Barrel City (GBC) mayor started Toys for Tots many years ago with the police and a stuffed animal program. If a child was involved in an incident, and the police responded, children would be given a stuffed animal that was in the trunk of the officer’s car. GBC Toys for Tots is a 501 (c) 3 organization and is not associated with the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Tuley was adamant that the funds raised here at the Cedar Creek Lake Area, stay in this area. 
In 2003 Tuley was asked to help fundraise for the Toys for Tots program and explained how the organization has grown to provide Christmas for over 350 kids in the area. “We had 65 table sponsors, and 485 attend the fundraising event (Christmas in October) with standing room only,” stated Tuley. He went on to explain that previously, the program only served Mabank ISD students but in the last 10 years they have served, Mabank ISD, Kemp ISD and Eustace ISD. “This year, our board voted to serve every town and every school district that touches Cedar Creek Lake with the GBC Toys for Tots program,” Tuley said. 
Tuley also stated that in the last two years, the program has raised over $52,000 for graduating seniors or seniors going to a technical school by giving 52 seniors $1,000 each. The organization’s main event is held in October raising $1,500 in its first year. The next year they raised $10,000, the next year $25,000, then $50,000. In 2023 Tuley was proud to report that the program raised over $150,000. Tuley says he doesn’t ask people to reach into their pocket and grab their checkbook, he asks people to reach into their pocket and grab their heart. 
The sponsor for the luncheon this month was Care Big, which provides professional personal care services within the privacy of your home. The dessert sponsor for this month’s luncheon was Cedar Creek Pools, LLC. 
The Business of the Month award was presented to the Cedar Creek Lake Parrot Head Club.