It’s venom that is one key focus of the round up.

“A portion of the venom we send off goes to make anti-venom. There’s also experimental medications for stroke victims,” stated Rob McCann of the Sweetwater Jaycees.

Rob went on to explain that the round up serves several purposes, from researching new medicines, to protecting their society.

“Our kids play in our yards in West Texas. If there’s a snake in town and it bites one of those kids, that family is looking at about $250,000 in medical expenses.

However the round up does even more than protect and help research medicine. It’s a boon to the economy.

According to Leah Andrews of the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce last year the event brought in, “8.4 million dollars to local economy.”

The money that several of the non-profits including the Jaycees raise here go to helping others.

“They feed thousands of people on Thanksgiving,” Andrews finished.