Originally formed for grass-roots support and to boost awareness of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Houston Metro Go Texan Committee, now 892 volunteers strong, has evolved into the largest committee under one chairmanship. John Cooper, chairman, describes this bunch as the most dedicated and cooperative group of people that he has ever seen. They organize more than 100 events each year and raise close to $600,000 for scholarships. These funds are supplemented by corporate contributors, resulting in at least one $10,000 scholarship being awarded to students at each high school in the eight-county Houston Metro Go Texan area.
"I have never seen an organization where you can have this much fun for this good of a cause," exclaimed Cooper. However, don't be misled by that comment. Cooper is no slacker. He said, "I feel that you must work every year to earn your badge, regardless of how long you have been on your committee." "After the doling out of general requirements, each of the 25 subcommittees has creative freedom and control of the events in their area," said Mike Blasingame, Show vice president and officer in charge. "I believe that this is why the committee is such a success." "Our committee receives a lot of attention from the press, which is positive for our committee, for the Show in general and for the city or area in which the event is held," said Cooper. "Once the public knows that these events benefit the youth in their areas, they support it to the end, even if it involves a cook-off where the barbecue pit has icicles on it!" The subcommittees keep the events fresh so people don't get bored. Of course, there are the traditional barbecue cook-offs, dances, golf tournaments, softball tournaments, bake sales and fish fries; however, Cooper challenges the group to come up with more innovative ideas. They have done so with events such as turkey and skeet shoots, bowl-a-thons, archery contests, casino nights and even cinnamon roll eating contests. Each subcommittee holds up to five events per year. Almost every week throughout the year, there is a Houston Metro Go Texan subcommittee event happening somewhere. And there will be even more events with the recent conversion of Chambers County from an Area Go Texan to a Houston Metro Go Texan subcommittee. Cooper is always going, and driving, the extra mile (an average of 200-350 miles per weekend) to support the members and the students for whom they are raising funds. During a recent weekend of fund-raising events, Cooper drove from North Shore to Cy-Fair to Brazoria and back to Liberty within a six-hour period. "One of the rewarding things about our committee is going to the Million Dollar Scholarship Banquet each May, where we get to meet scholarship recipients," said Blasingame. "When you get to hear their heart-warming stories about how the scholarships changed their lives and how much they appreciate it and us, it just gets you even more charged up to do better the next year." Cooper convinced the committee members that they should have a little fun even though they work hard. After all, they are volunteers. With this "work smarter - not harder" attitude, the committee further improved its performance and broke its own record with its nearly $600,000 contribution to the Educational Fund in 1998. "Luckily, I have been able to attend several of the school district meetings where our committee presents scholarships," said Cooper. "When some of the committee members have witnessed the gratitude on those students' faces, well, there was not a dry eye in the room. It makes everything all worthwhile." "I get the opportunity to attend many FFA conventions and 4-H Roundups because of my involvement with the Houston Metro Go Texan Committee," said Blasingame. "Through these events and the positive kids I meet, I realize that no matter what we hear about society and today's youth, the future of this country is bright after all. The bottom line is that Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scholarships truly change lives!"
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