How it all Started

To understand how GivTex came to be, you must first learn about Chay's Christmas Party and how it began. The idea all started when I was in college as an excuse to get all my college buddies together over the Christmas break.  Everybody I had grown up with went off to their various universities Tech, Texas State, UT, A&M, wherever, and I wanted all of us to have a reason to party together while we were all back in town. So I came up with this idea of renting out a bar, but decided it needed a cause, a rallying cry, if you will, to help make people want to attend, to almost feel obligated.  

So I came up with the idea of everybody having to donate a toy to Toys for Tots in order to get into the party. That first year we rented out the deck at The Oasis on Joe Pool Lake. We probably had somewhere around 50 or so people come out, but it was all I had hoped it would be. All of our friends together having a great time, and we did it all for a good cause. We had such a good time that the next year people started asking me about doing it again. So we did, and it grew larger. Then again, and it grew even larger, until it snowballed into the awesome charitable event it is today. These days we are averaging somewhere in the neighborhood of 350 people in attendance. Last year we raised over $35,000 and over 300 toys for kids in need. 

Some years back I grew a little frustrated with Toys For Tots. I believe it is a great organization at heart, but the donations started to feel empty. They used to send uniformed Marines to the party every year to collect the toys. Then they got to where they would send somebody with a trailer a few days after the party to pick stuff up. Then it got to where I was having to deliver the toys to a warehouse. One year the warehouse was closed the day that I took everything to be dropped off.  Another year I arrived and was told "oh thanks, you can just throw everything in that corner." Here I was putting in a lot of time and effort and asking my friends to donate their time and money towards something we were being told to "throw in the corner."  

It was 2011 when the "throw it in the corner" story brought me to meeting Wyatt Snider. A family friend had recently bought a bus from Wyatt and told me I should meet him. So we spoke on the phone and Wyatt told me a little bit about what he does and we agreed to meet up in person. Wyatt showed me more about what he does and I will never forget he asked me to just give him one shot. Donate my proceeds to him just this one year to see if I liked where the donations were going better. If I didn't, then no hard feelings. But there was one caveat, Wyatt told me I HAD to attend his event where he hands all the toys out to the kids. So I agreed and that year we donated all the toys and cash we raised to Wyatt and Gloryland Express. I attended Wyatt's event like I promised I would. To say I was blown away would be an understatement. To see the joy on those kids faces that night brought me to tears. Several of them likely would have gone without Christmas that year had we not helped out Wyatt and Gloryland. I finally felt like our work and donations were in the right hands. The rest is history.

I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention Grayland Smith and the entire team at Magnolia Motor Lounge. About 8-9 years ago I moved back to Fort Worth full time and was looking for a new spot to have the party. I actually was considering throwing in the towel on the event. But my Mom talked me out of it and I asked Grayland if he would consider giving up a very valuable Saturday night at "Mags" for me to host my event. He immediately said yes, and has not hesitated to say yes to anything I have asked him for since. He is an amazing friend and a great champion of this event.

I also need to thank Justin Bradley and his JAG Metals team for coming through as the title sponsor. I have known Justin for some years now and behind that tough persona is a man that will do just about anything for charity. When I asked if he would consider helping out in 2023 as the title sponsor it was a very quick yes. Thanks for all that you do and especially for helping us out this year, Justin.

Last but certainly not least. I can't thank all of my friends and family that have supported the party over the years enough. My name is on the "marquee" so to speak, but it is all the money, toys and time donated by my friends and family that have really made this event what it is.  

After 18 glorious years hosting Chay's Christmas Party, I decided it was time to do more for Texas families in need and that is when GivTex was born. My goal is to host more charitable events and donate a lot more money to those in need through GivTex. 

 - Chay Jackson (GivTex Founder)