United Way of South Texas held the 2023 Campaign Kick-off Event on September 21. UW Board Chair, Blanca I. Villalobos, IBC Bank, welcomed over 185 representatives and elected officials from school districts, corporations, non-profit agencies, municipalities and other businesses. The Board of Directors expressed their gratitude to the event sponsors: PlainsCapital Bank, Texas Gas Service and Espazio Storage. UW Board Member, Lisa Killion, Consultant, served as the Emcee and recognized the Executive Directors of United Way funded agencies. She thanked them for their outstanding work in providing services that empower families and allow them to thrive independently. The 2023 Loaned Executive team was also announced. Loaned Executives volunteer approximately 100 hours during the Campaign; meeting with company coordinators to organize workplace campaigns and presenting to thousands of United Way donors. Companies who are generously sharing a Loaned Executive include: AEP Texas, Boys and Girls Club of Pharr/San Juan, City of McAllen, City of Rio Grande City, Greater State Bank, IBC Bank, Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, Rally Credit Union, South Texas Federal Credit Union, Starr County and Vantage Bank Texas.
The honorary Keynote Speaker was Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, Hidalgo County – Precinct 2. He spoke about United Way’s important community impact and emphasized the significance of community engagement. Commissioner Eddie Cantu and his team’s direct involvement make a positive impact in the Hidalgo County Campaign. He challenged guests to “do more” and committed to leading the most successful campaign at the County of Hidalgo.
Campaign Co-Chair, Cris Moncayo, Vantage Bank Texas added, “I am extremely proud of the momentum that we have established as it embraces a sense of responsibility and accountability amongst each individual. It truly takes a team to support and build a community that is better than it was before and to initiate positive results.”
Campaign Co-Chairs, Gerardo Paz, South Texas Federal Credit Union and Cris Moncayo, Vantage Bank Texas, announced that Pacesetter Companies had already pledged over $950,000 or 42% of the 2023 Campaign Goal, set at $2,300,000.00. Pacesetter Companies represent corporations, municipalities, school districts and individuals who run their Employee Campaigns or make their corporate pledge during August, which is the official first month of the Campaign. Their CEOs and Campaign Coordinators lead the efforts at their workplaces. The 2023 Pacesetter Companies include the following: Aurora House Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Pharr/San Juan, Boys and Girls Club of McAllen, Burton Companies, CASA of Hidalgo County, City of Mercedes, Community Council of the RGV, Edcouch-Elsa I.S.D., Edinburg C.I.S.D., H-E-B and H-E-B RSC, Holt, La Joya I.S.D., Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, McAllen I.S.D., Mercedes I.S.D., Mission C.I.S.D., PSJA I.S.D., Palmer Drug Abuse Program, Rally Credit Union, Region One, Rio Grande City Grulla I.S.D., Roma I.S.D., Sharyland I.S.D., South Texas Health System, South Texas I.S.D., Starr County, Su Casa De Esperanza, Target Stores, Texas Gas Service, The Salvation Army, U.S.D.H.S. – Customs POE, U.S. – OBP Border Patrol, United Way of South Texas, Valley View I.S.D., Vantage Bank Texas, Walmart Stores, Walmart Market Stores, Wells Fargo Corporation, Weslaco I.S.D., Women Together and other individual donors.
“The United Way Campaign is off to a great start, I encourage each and one of you to continue serving our community, to support those in need and most especially to do so with kindness and empathy,” Moncayo said.
The United Way Board of Directors thanks all supporters and volunteers, including twenty-one Loaned Executives, who are assisting with the campaign. The Board invites the community to be United in Purpose, donate today and support critical services in the areas of Health, Education, Financial Stability and Safety Net. If you are interested in contributing to United Way’s 2023 Campaign, please call the office at 956-686-6331 or visit www.unitedway2023.wpengine.com.
About United Way:
United Way of South Texas invests in programs that address critical services in the areas of Health, Education, Financial Stability, and Safety Net. The organization supports over 21 non-profit agencies in Hidalgo and Starr Counties that serve a minimum of 178,500 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 https://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/ways-to-support/donate-now/. For volunteer opportunities, visit volunteersotx.org.