• Julian Cavazos •
• Originally published March 24, 2009 at 10 p.m., updated March 24, 2009 at 10 p.m.

Jimmy Cisneros literally cooks for free.

Each time, it's for a benefit for someone with an illness or after the death of a loved one.

The Victoria resident, 60, and his wife, Lydia, have organized more than 600 benefit barbecues for people in the community in 25 years.

"I can't say no," Cisneros said. "You can't say no when you have to help people out."

And he has never asked for anything in return, said his friend Danny Cuevas.

Cisneros once organized a benefit for Cuevas, who has cancer.

"He did not ask me for any repayment for his work and took care of everything," Cuevas said.

Doing this generous service for free brings greater rewards than money, Cisneros said.

"I don't charge anything because I feel that God will repay me by being able to do another one," Cisneros said. "God will help us if we help others."

Over the years, Cisneros became known through friends and family as one willing to do barbecue fundraisers.

After being asked by locals, Cisneros uses his connections to help the family in need get briskets and other foods donated.

Some have donated up to 50 pounds of beans, Cisneros said.

He'll also contact the local media outlets to get the word out on the benefit.

His wife prints fliers and tickets, and posts them at local businesses. She also organizes who will cook the rice and beans.

When Cisneros proposed to Lydia 20 years ago, he told her about his love for barbecuing.

"Jimmy asked me to marry him on one condition: that I never take him away from his benefits and playing in his band. He loved to do that."

She agreed.

The night just flies by, Lydia said.

"Everybody who helps out enjoys the night with Jimmy," she said. "Nobody leaves. Everybody shows up, all his friends, and they have a good time."

In 2005, Cisneros cooked enough brisket plates to raise $5,000 for Hopie Esperanza Cuellar's medical expenses after she passed away from cancer.

That same year, he organized a benefit that raised $3,000 for Hopie's sister, Rosie, who had a stroke. Rosie is still alive today.

After being asked so many times, it's become a way of life for him and his family. His 22-year-old son Manuel has helped his father since age 13.

"It's our thing in what we do together," Manuel said. "It's our bond, and it's pretty special to be able to help him. I'm glad to have a father that actually has a big enough heart to do this kind of stuff for so many years."

Once all the food is donated, Cisneros and his crew of family and friends will begin cooking the meat about 10 p.m.

He'll cook the food all night, and have it done by the next morning.

Once the food is placed onto plates and served, that's when Cisneros uses his other passion in life: music.

He gathers some of his old-time Tejano musicians, and plays for the people who are eating.

His friend Natie Padierna sings, while Cisneros plays the bass.

"We like to get together and jam," Padierna said. "It brings memories of old times."

Cisneros often holds the fundraisers at Mario's Ballroom in Victoria.

The owner, Mario Garcia, said Cisneros is always happy.

"He's never tired. He's always ready. He always has a big smile all day long."

Cisneros, who worked in the roofing business for 40 years, hasn't given a benefit barbecue since last fall when he suffered a stroke. He also has diabetes.

Though he's been resting from fundraisers lately, he has no plans of slowing down the barbecue benefit life.

"I'm going to keep doing benefits until God says I can't walk anymore," Cisneros said. "Until the day I die."

• Each time Jimmy gives a benefit barbecue:

  He cooks 50 to 60 briskets

  50 pounds of beans are donated

  40-45 pounds of rice are donated

  Average money raised: $7,000 to $9,000

  Sells between 800 to 1,000 plates.

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