United Way of South Texas officially launched the 2025 Campaign with a Facebook Live event in early September. One hundred community leaders were in attendance. Guests participated in the interactive interview event, led by Campaign Co-chairs J.J. Serrano, H-E-B, Blanca I. Villalobos, IBC Bank, and Community Relations Co-Chair, Annette Garcia, Region One ESC Retiree. More than 30 live interviews, featuring CEOs, Superintendents, City Commissioners, State and Federal 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. Everyone gathered to unite in their commitment to making a lasting impact in the community.
Leadership from the following organizations expressed their dedication to United Way’s mission: AEP Texas; Boys & Girls Club of Mission; Boys & Girls Club of Pharr/San Juan; City of McAllen; Edinburg C.I.S.D.; Greater State Bank; H-E-B; Hidalgo County; Hidalgo County Drainage District #1; HOLT; IBC Bank; McAllen I.S.D.; Palmer Drug Abuse Program; PlainsCapital Bank; Rally Credit Union; Reserva Coffee Roasters; Rio Grande City Grulla I.S.D.; Roma I.S.D.; Security Service FCU; Silver Ribbon Partnership; South Texas College; South Texas Federal Credit Union; South Texas Health System; Texas Gas Service; US CBP – Office of Border Patrol; Vantage Bank; Weslaco I.S.D.; and Walmart Stores.
The kick-off event was also an opportunity to recognize the 2025 Pacesetter Companies. These companies, of all employee group sizes, launched their Campaigns in August and raised 44% of the $2,050,000 Campaign Goal. The strong early attainment marked a 10% increase over last year’s early pledges. 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 2025 Pacesetter Companies include the following: AEP Texas, Bright Funds, Boys and Girls Club of Pharr/San Juan, Boys and Girls Club of McAllen, Boys and Girls Club of Mission, C&S Family of Companies, City of McAllen, City of Mercedes, City of Mission, Donna I.S.D., Edinburg C.I.S.D., Frost Bank, Greater State Bank, H-E-B and H-E-B RSC, La Villa I.S.D., Lone Star National Bank, McAllen I.S.D., Mercedes I.S.D., Mission C.I.S.D., Monte Alto I.S.D., PlainsCapital Bank, 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, Su Casa De Esperanza, Target Stores, Texas Gas Service, Texas Regional Bank, United Way of South Texas, Valley Trophies, Vantage Bank Texas, Weslaco I.S.D., 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 2025 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 Healthy Communities, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resilience. The organization supports 21 non-profit agencies in Hidalgo and Starr Counties that serve a minimum of 180,000 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/.