Tis the season to be jolly! It’s the time to surround yourself with family and friends, the time to gather around the table and enjoy a holiday feast and the time for cookie baking, gift–wrapping, tree trimming, carol singing and more. For many local children, however, the holiday season is a season filled with loneliness, sadness and abuse.
In the hustle and bustle that is the holidays, it is easy to lose sight of the true meaning of the season. And while our children struggle over whether to ask Santa for a new scooter or a Wii, the children of Roy Maas’ Youth Alternatives hope for the basic necessities that most of us take for granted; some examples include socks, underwear and a loving family.
You may ask what a steak maven has in common with these children in need. My answer is that it has everything to do with needy children! As a product of a foster care environment, I understand what it feels like to not have a family to share the holidays with. That is why many years ago, I vowed that when I became successful, I would help other children like myself rise above adversity and become the best they can be.
When I left the foster care system at the age of 18, I had $350 in my pocket. I sold pots and pans door–to–door before landing a job in advertising. Through hard work and determination, I worked my way up and eventually opened my own marketing consulting firm, landed the Ruth’s Chris account and opened my own franchises. I believe positive things can come from negative circumstances and, through my story, I hope to make the children of Youth Alternatives understand that if they believe in themselves, they can achieve their dreams.
It has been my greatest pleasure to open the doors of my restaurant to the children of Youth Alternatives. For many of us, dining out at a nice restaurant is a way of life. This is not the case for the children at Youth Alternatives; many of these children have been starved and forced to scavenge and hide food scraps in order to survive.
A few years ago, as a special treat, my staff and I invited more than 40 children from Youth Alternatives to an etiquette class and steak dinner at Ruth’s Chris downtown. In addition to a delicious meal, the children were given helpful tips on how to conduct themselves while dining. It was one of my most rewarding experiences, and it led to the annual Ruth’s Chris Thanksgiving Feast for children.
I may own four sizzling steakhouses, but once a year, I serve up 150 pounds of mouth–watering turkey and all the trimmings to more than 100 Youth Alternatives children in San Antonio. It is a feast fit for a king, complete with our famous creamed spinach, sweet potatoes and desserts galore. My staff and I serve the children and pull out all the stops to make sure it is a day they will never forget. This is the first time some of the children have been treated to a formal Thanksgiving dinner.
We also hold a Thanksgiving card contest. The children design a holiday card, and the winning entry is mailed to more than 15,000 Ruth’s Chris patrons. It not only raises awareness for Youth Alternatives, but also encourages the children to focus on the things they are thankful for.
Other programs I have implemented include the One Potato, Two Potato campaign where, for each potato purchased at Ruth’s Chris, another potato is donated to Youth Alternatives. This month–long program resulted in the delivery of 80 cases of potatoes to the organization, which greatly decreased its grocery bill.
One Person Can Make A Difference Why do I dedicate myself to these children? I do so because one person can make a difference, and it is the obligation of successful businesses to take an active role in the community.
There is no better time than the holidays to start doing your part. You can begin by reviewing the Youth Alternatives wish list. Businesses that can supply the requested items and more to the children will make their holidays merry and bright. Can you imagine a child waking up on Christmas Day without a single present to open? The children at Youth Alternatives can do more than imagine it because many of them have experienced it. Many have also experienced that abuse that tends to escalate during the holidays due to factors, such as stress and alcohol abuse.
This holiday season, I encourage you to give to children in need. These children have lost a lot through no fault of their own, and it’s time to give them the support they deserve.
