#LOCAL HEROES: Teal Romango

#LOCAL HEROES: Teal Romango

These are your #LocalHeroes — ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Sweetwater County. This SweetwaterNOW series highlights those often unnoticed acts of kindness to the incredible actions of many in our community.

When the Boys and Girls Club of Sweetwater County (BGCSC) announced their Tree of Sharing program wouldn’t be a possibility this year due to COVID, Teal Romango stepped up to create a virtual Tree of Sharing experience this year.

“I just felt like something had to be done,” Romango said. “My heart just couldn’t handle that for the kids.”

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The charitable event pairs children who might not have gifts under the Christmas tree with those who are willing to buy presents and help families out within the community.

After inquiring about this year’s BGCSC Tree of Sharing and finding out the unfortunate news, Romango partnered up with a few select individuals who decided to try and make the event possible by trying to do it virtually.

“One day we had the idea and the next it took off,” Romango said.

Romango created a Facebook group for those interested in adopting a kid this year. Within the first few days, over 1,000 people had joined the group. She soon began spending hours a day on her phone answering messages and pairing children to those wanting to adopt.

“I was glued to my phone or computer for five or six hours a day,” Romango said.

The response from the community was surprising and a bit challenging, however, Romango spearheaded the response and worked hard to pair all 536 children on the virtual tree with those looking to adopt. From there, she partnered up with Trona Valley as a drop-off and pickup location for the presents once the gifts were bought and ready to be wrapped.

Seeing that every child on the tree was served this year, Romango considered the incredible effort by the community one that taught her gratitude and humility.

“I never imagined it would’ve taken off the way it did,” Romango said. “A lot of people, myself included, just don’t know how good we have it. Just going through those applications I probably cried ten times a day. I learned to be more grateful.”

This is the first time Romango said she has ever done a service project of this magnitude. Her advice to others who seek to make a difference is to “just do it.”

“I never in a million years thought I could pull something off like this,” Romango said. “If it weren’t for the help of Trona Valley, Gary Collins, my fiance and everyone who shared it on Facebook, it wouldn’t have been possible. If you find yourself in a position to help, just do it.”

“Thank you to the community. This wouldn’t have been what it was if it weren’t for the help of everyone,” Romango said.

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