The United Way Board of Directors proudly recognized United Way of South Texas Volunteers, Company Supporters and Pillar Club Members at the 2024 Awards Ceremony in March. The annual awards ceremony celebrated community service and campaign accomplishments.
Awards were presented to Outstanding Volunteers and Top Supporters. Golden Apple Awards were presented to recognize the Top 5 School Districts, based on their tremendous campaign results. The Districts with the Top 5 Campaigns selected exceptional coordinators to lead the charge in their fall fundraising efforts, inspiring and educating others about the many United Way community programs. The 2023 Top 5 Contributing School Districts and Campaign Coordinators were: 1) McAllen ISD; Ann Vega 2) P.S.JA. I.S.D.; Guadalupe Garcia 3) Edinburg C.I.S.D.; Alonzo Barbosa 4) La Joya I.S.D.; Cynthia Salinas and 5) Weslaco I.S.D.; Erica M. Garcia. School district employees in Hidalgo and Starr Counties play a significant role in United Way’s ability to support over seventy local health and human service programs.
Dr. Rene Guiterrez, Superintendent of McAllen ISD, graciously accepted the prestigious #1 Golden Apple Award. This marks the sixth consecutive year that McAllen ISD has received this Top Honor, solidifying their reputation as a leading supporter. Along with the Golden Apple Award, McAllen ISD’s Gonzalez Elementary was awarded the Highest Per Capita Donations Campus. Congratulations to McAllen ISD and the other Golden Apple Award recipients for their exemplary performance and support.
School Districts – from Mercedes I.S.D. to Roma I.S.D. – ran successful campaigns to benefit over 185,000 local residents: Edcouch-Elsa I.S.D., Mercedes I.S.D., Monte Alto I.S.D., Sharyland I.S.D., South Texas I.S.D., Valley View I.S.D., Region One, Rio Grande City Grulla I.S.D., Roma I.S.D. and Weslaco I.S.D.
The United Way Board of Directors extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all Superintendents, District Campaign Coordinators, Principals, Directors, Professional Staff, and School District Employees for their generosity. The community’s support allows United Way to positively impact and empower individuals in Hidalgo and Starr Counties with direct services including: emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and the homeless; after-school, youth leadership, and homework assistance programs; end-of-life care services; advocates for children in foster care; free income tax preparation services for families who earn $60,000 a year or less; assistance for families affected by natural disasters and single family home fires, and much more.