United Way of South Texas celebrated the 25th Annual Back to School “In Style” Shopping Spree Event on August 2nd. The Board of Directors is proud of the important long-lasting partnership with Target stores in Hidalgo County. One hundred fifty middle school students from seven school districts received school attire and personal hygiene items valued at $125.00. Additionally, Target donated backpacks filled with school supplies and Advanced Barber College provided vouchers for free haircuts.
This event, launched by United Way of South Texas in 1996, awards the same opportunity to 16 school districts in Hidalgo and Starr Counties that support United Way. School districts in this year’s Back to School Event rotation included: Donna I.S.D., Edcouch-Elsa I.S.D., Edinburg C.I.S.D., La Joya I.S.D., La Villa I.S.D., PSJA I.S.D. and Weslaco I.S.D.
“This shopping spree has made a significant impact on our students, not just financially, but emotionally,” Sandra Rodriguez, Edinburg C.I.S.D. Parental Involvement Coordinator said. “Their smiles are priceless when they are walked out to their parents, when done shopping. They tell me they’ll never forget that day and never forget their shopping mentors.”
Target Store Manager, Jose Flores and HR Team Leader, Yvette Alvarado, along with the rest of the Target volunteers, were instrumental in helping to make the event a success. United Way’s partnership with Target demonstrates the organizations’ ongoing work to develop stronger and self-sufficient families in our area. United Way company supporters served as “Shopping Buddies” and assisted the students with their purchases. The following companies provided volunteer “Shopping Buddies”: Boys & Girls Club of McAllen; Chase Bank; City of McAllen; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Frost Bank; GE Aviation; Greater State Bank; Hidalgo County Precinct 1; Hidalgo County Precinct 2; Hidalgo County Precinct 3; Hidalgo County Precinct 4; IBC Bank; Lone Star National Bank; Magic Valley Electric Cooperative; NavyArmy Community Credit Union; PlainsCapital Bank; RegalRexnord; Region One ESC; Rio Grande City Police Department; Security Service Federal Credit Union; South Texas Federal Credit Union; Starr County; Target; Texas Regional Bank; U.S. Customs & Border Protection-Rio Grande City and Roma; U.S. CBP – OBP and Vantage Bank Texas.
The United Way Board of Directors thanks all supporters who make projects like the Back-to-School “In Style” Shopping Spree and the Day of Caring-Project FreshStart possible for local families who struggle to prepare their children for school. United Way is committed to helping youth succeed and invests in dozens of programs that directly impact a child’s academic and mental performance in the classroom.
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 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.