Every other year, the Cordillera Ranch Shindig Corporation (CRS) brings the women of Cordillera Ranch together by hosting the Marisol Luncheon in support of the Kendall County Women’s Shelter (KCWS). This year the luncheon was held on Saturday, February 1 at the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. 150 women attended – it was a full house. In preparation for the San Antonio Rodeo, beautiful western clothing from Ranch at the Rim was modeled and sold. Raffle prizes from Neiman Marcus, Clint Orms, Bejewel, Julian Gold and Green Bull, to name a few, were won, all to raise support for the KCWS.
Carla Northington, CRS Board President, explains, “The Marisol Luncheon is put on by the board of the CRS to benefit the Kendall County Women’s Shelter. (Barbara Wynn, Kay Johnson and Barbara Hill board members) This is our third year to do so. The women in Cordillera Ranch have had a real heart for the shelter from its inception in 2005. Several women in Cordillera volunteer at the shelter and many donate items to the Fabulous Finds Thrift Store of the KCWS. The Marisol Luncheon continues to broadcast the desperate needs of women and children and even their pets that are so tragically effected by domestic violence. Our goal is to not only raise money for the shelter but to also educate women about domestic violence, where ‘shame, sin and secrets’ are prevalent. We know the odds are that we all know someone who has or is experiencing this violence; it may even be someone who attends the luncheon. The luncheon provides opportunities to open eyes to the needs but also provides hope and help for those entrapped in dangerous relationships.“
And the group is certainly making an impact. On February 20, the Board presented the Shelter with a check for $20,000 from the event. However, it takes a lot of hard work and support to get there.
    This year, HEB underwrote the entire luncheon as well as provided all of the table floral arrangements. Carla explains, “HEB has joined hands with us to be involved with helping to meet the needs of the women and children taking refuge in the shelter. Some weeks before the luncheon the CRS board and the HEB Public Affairs Director, Lacey Kotzer, met at the shelter for a tour so as to gain a deeper understanding of the needs. One of those much needed ‘needs’, or should I say necessities, is paper products. That seems like a small thing but with women, children and pets being cared for with an average stay in the shelter of 80 days, you can imagine the necessity of a continual supply. After our tour Cindy Arledge, the Executive Director of the KCWS, was joyfully surprised when an HEB truck pulled up to the office delivering 150 rolls of toilet paper! HEB, KCWS and CRS Corp. have made a nice connection!”