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The reward is seeing someone enjoy a good burger

Ross Rommel and his band of volunteers are making people smile twice a month with a hamburger cookout — for free

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The way Ross Rommel figured, he just wanted to cook burgers and give them away back in January. Ten months later, the retired Hunt attorney is cooking burgers twice a month at the Doyle Community Center, and he's now got a crew to help him with the work of feeding about 100 people each time they cook.

For Rommel and his crew, it's just a tiny bit to give back but one that is developing an enthusiastic following.

We all give to programs overseas, and those are important," Rommel said. "We would continue to do that, but you get so much reward out of handing out a really good hamburger to someone, especially a child who is hungry."

Under the outdoor covered basketball court, Rommel cooks more than 100 burgers, classic rock plays in the background, and the crew is getting things ready for a busy Sunday afternoon. Rommel's volunteer crew of Dave Weekley, Mickey Horany, James Horne, and Carter Crain put the burgers together and assembled to-go bags of condiments and chips. Another volunteer showed up a few minutes later — Clifton Fifer, who is seemingly everywhere.

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"Ross told us he had this thing on his heart and wanted to feed veterans, homeless, and whoever could be a beneficiary of that type of thing," Horany said.

It also helps that they really enjoy a good burger. Initially, Rommel started the project at the Kerr County Veterans Center, but the turnout was light. Undeterred, he moved to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where he met his crew, and from there, they eventually moved to Doyle.

Rommel is the barbecue master, grilling up freshly made patties he purchases from H-E-B. His right arm hair has been burned off, the smoke makes his eyes water, but he loves every minute of it.

"It's really rewarding," said Rommel as he loaded up burgers into Crain's tray. "It's just fun."

And on this Sunday afternoon, it was much appreciated.

"Give me eight burgers," Fifer yells out as he walks back to collect the bags.

"Thank you for all that you do," said one person who picked up three burgers.

And that's the satisfaction that keeps Rommel and his crew cooking.

HELP US GROW

Are you enjoying our content? As our region continues to grow, how will our communities handle the challenges of development, water and preserving what makes the Hill Country special — the natural beauty. These are the stories we are telling daily across our platforms, from our live morning webcast to our email newsletters. So, please consider subscribing to The Kerr County Lead.

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