United Way of South Texas officially launched the 2026 Campaign with a Facebook Live event in September. This year’s event was historical, as all three United Ways in the Rio Grande Valley, including United Way of South Texas, United Way of Southern Cameron County and United Way of Northern Cameron County, kicked-off the same day and celebrated 202 Years of Measurable Impact in the Rio Grande Valley. United Way of Northern Cameron County, serving the Harlingen area, has been positively impacting lives for more than 80 years; United Way of Southern Cameron County, serving families in the Brownsville area, has assisted families for 71 years; and United Way of South Texas, serving Hidalgo and Starr Counties, is celebrating 45 Years of impact in 2026. Guests participated in the interactive interview event, led by United Way Campaign Co-Chairs Annette Garcia, Region One ESC Retiree and Raul Sesin, Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, General Manager. Thirty live interviews, featuring CEOs, Superintendents, City Commissioners, State Agency Directors, and other community members proudly voiced their trust and support of United Way, and encouraged others to join the United is The Way™ movement.
Leadership from the following organizations expressed their dedication to United Way’s mission: AEP Texas; Aurora House; Boys & Girls Club of Pharr/San Juan; Calvary Baptist Church; City of McAllen; City of Mission; Edinburg C.I.S.D.; Greater State Bank; H-E-B; Hidalgo County; Hidalgo County Drainage District #1; Hidalgo County Headstart Program; HOLT; IBC Bank; McAllen I.S.D.; PlainsCapital Bank; Reserva Coffee Roasters; Rio Grande City Grulla I.S.D.; Roma I.S.D.; San Isidro ISD; South Texas College; South Texas Federal Credit Union; South Texas Health System; Target; The Monitor; Vantage Bank; Women Together Foundation; Weslaco I.S.D.; and Walmart Stores.
The kick-off event was also an opportunity to recognize 2026 Pacesetter Companies. These companies, of all employee group sizes, launched their Campaigns in August and raised 38% of the $2,125,000 Campaign Goal, as of mid-September. Pacesetters represent various entities, including businesses, school districts, city governments, and individuals. August marks the official launch of the campaign, with CEOs and campaign coordinators taking the lead in inspiring participation within their workplaces.
The 2026 Pacesetter Companies include the following: AEP Texas; Aztec Realty; Boys and Girls Club of Pharr/San Juan; Boys and Girls Club of McAllen; Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg; Burton Companies; City of McAllen; City of Mercedes; Donna I.S.D., Edinburg C.I.S.D.; Frost Bank, Greater State Bank; H-E-B and H-E-B RSC; McAllen I.S.D.; Mercedes I.S.D.; Monte Alto I.S.D.; PSJA I.S.D.; Region One ESC; Rio Grande City Grulla I.S.D.: Roma I.S.D.; San Isidro I.S.D., Serving Children & Adults in Need (SCAN); Sharyland I.S.D., Starr County; South TX Federal Credit Union; Target Stores; Texas Gas Service; The PossAble Dream H.S.; The Salvation Army; United Way of South Texas; Valley Trophies, Vantage Bank Texas; Weslaco I.S.D.; Wells Fargo; Women Together and other private individual donors.
The United Way Board of Directors thanks all supporters and volunteers, including the twenty-two Loaned Executives assisting with the campaign. United Way brings together individuals, organizations, and entire communities to take action in support of Hidalgo and Starr Counties. By fostering collaboration and local resources, United Way works to address critical issues related to building a healthier community, expanding opportunities for youth, strengthening financial stability for families, and enhancing overall community resiliency. Through these collective efforts, United Way aims to create lasting, positive change and improve the quality of life for everyone in the region. If you are interested in contributing to United Way’s 2026 Campaign, please call 956-686-6331 or visit www.unitedwayofsotx.org.
About United Way:
United Way of South Texas invests in programs that address critical services in the areas of Youth Opportunities, Healthy Communities, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. The organization supports over 21 non-profit agencies in Hidalgo and Starr Counties that serve a minimum of 220,000 local residents annually. Services provided by United Way of South Texas through Partner Agencies include emergency shelter, family violence counseling, character building programs, child victim advocacy, and infant stimulation classes. To learn more, visit www.unitedwayofsotx.org. If you would like to support United Way programs with a monetary donation, you may mail a tax deductible check to United Way of South Texas at P.O. Box 187, McAllen, TX 78505-0187 or pledge online at https://unitedwayofsotx.org/donate-now/. For volunteer opportunities, visit volunteersotx.org.