Community

“The Biggest One-Stage Event in Texas”

This award-winning music festival happens only once a year and its proceeds go to benefit the Ben Richey Boys Ranch. Outlaws & Legends features top notch country purist performers. The festival has included some of the biggest names in country music. NOTE: In March 2020, due to the coronavirus health scare and the ensuing local quarantine precautions taken, the event scheduled for that time was canceled. Watch for news of the March 2021 event, which promises to be bigger and better than ever!

With an average of almost 9,000 fans in attendance each year, it’s an absolute not miss event!

More than 800,000 of America’s 1 million firefighters are strictly volunteer. With so many rural communities in the Abilene area, it’s these volunteers who come to our aid. As a fellow neighbor, we at CWS can think of no more noble cause than to celebrate and assist the brave men and women who keep our community safe.

On October 1, 2006, Don Kennedy’s son Bryce Kennedy got into a truck with a friend who had been drinking. Consequently, this choice cost Bryce his life. Bryce was only 19. And in the prime of his life.

On October 11, 2008, marked the occasion of the First Annual Bryce Memorial, Shattered Clays for Shattered Dreams, Sporting Clay Event. Held each year since then, the event raises funds that make a difference. Funds provide grants towards the Shattered Dreams Program in schools. Also, they provide academic scholarships for Shattered Dreams participants. They help sponsor community events regarding alcohol awareness. Moreover, the clay shoot’s proceeds fund Project Graduation. And they purchase teaching aids such as “drunk goggles” to use at events and for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

This event is just one of numerous charitable causes that County Waste Service supports to benefit its local communities.

CAST is an event made possible by our partnership with the CAST for Kids Foundation. They are a national foundation that puts on fishing events for kids with special needs. At this event, kids are given a rod and reel along with a tackle box to keep.

This event was designed to create an adaptive environment where children and adults could both benefit, having the opportunity to discover the sport of fishing and enjoy a day of fun on the water together.

In 1995, the National Down Syndrome Society established The Buddy Walk program to celebrate Down syndrome awareness.

When the citizens of Abilene first began to participate, organizers were unsure of how much of a turn out to expect. But as “the walk” kept getting bigger and bigger each year (with around 200-300 people typically in attendance), it has been a resounding success.

The annual event provides a great opportunity for the Down Syndrome support groups in the Abilene area to come together with their surrounding community, in support of and in honor of those living with Down Syndrome.

Ben Richey Boys Ranch is a private, non-profit basic child care facility. Ben Richey Boys Ranch provides clean, comfortable and safe homes for each boy at the Ranch. Through experienced guidance of house parents and staff, each boy will develop confidence while learning to take responsibility for his actions. Our goal is to provide each boy with the tools to become a productive, successful member of society once they have completed the program.

In addition to the homes provided to the boys, the Ben Richey Boys Ranch Family Program exists to restore single mothers and their children with hope, comfort, and shelter while they locate resources they need to move toward successful independent living.