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Red Kettle donations help all year round

Little Girl Donating 2012 9 24 webDuring this holiday season, The Salvation Army staff and volunteers are diligently working to raise much needed funds to support those most in need this Christmas, and beyond. This year, The Salvation Army seeks to raise $175,000 to meet the growing demand for essential services in the McAllen community and is falling behind its goal.

Every year, The Salvation Army of McAllen provides shelter, meals, emergency financial assistance, clothing vouchers, food boxes, disaster assistance and more to individuals and local families. The holiday season can be especially difficult for many, and donations are crucial to ensuring that no one is left behind during this time of year.

Read more: Red Kettle donations help all year round

Time running out to adopt angels

20241211 AngelTreeTagsLeft webSupport needed to fulfill Christmas wishes for children in our community

With two days left for all Angel Tree gifts to be returned, The Salvation Army still has about 150 angels yet to be adopted. There is still time to help.
“We still have angel tags hanging on the Angel Trees and are praying all will be taken by the last day for adoption on Thursday, December 12,” said Major Jan Zuniga of The Salvation Army of McAllen. “We often see a late rush in adoptions and have staff and volunteers ready at the Angel Trees ready to help those who would like to take an angel and provide Christmas for a child in need.”

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VA holds blood drives

Blood is perishable and must be constantly replenished. According to the American Red Cross, one in seven patients entering a hospital needs a blood transfusion.

In partnership with Vitalant Blood Center, VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System is hosting a series of blood drives. This is part of a nationwide effort by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to address the on-going need for blood.

Two Valley VA clinics will hold blood drives. The McAllen VA Outpatient Clinic will hold their blood drive on Friday, December 13 from 9 a. m. to 1 p.m. The clinic is located at 901 E. Hackberry Ave. On Tuesday, January 14, the Harlingen VA Outpatient Clinic will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic is located at 2106 Treasure Hills Blvd.

“We are a proud member of the Rio Grande Valley community and are doing our part to meet the constant need for blood and blood products.” said Public Affairs Officer Hugo Martinez. “We ask Veterans, family members, and all members of the community make the time to donate blood.”
ID is required. Scheduling an appointment is recommended. Walk-in donations will be accepted.

For more information or to register, visit https://donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa. For future events, check https://www.va.gov/texas-valley-health-care/events

Enjoy events at Bentsen-RGV State Park

20241127 Bentsen Park Picture1 webFun and informative programs for all ages are being held at Bentsen-RGV State Park. Events are free with park admission.

The park holds bird walks every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. There will be a Bentsen Holiday Fun Day on Saturday, December 14, at 10:30 a.m. This event will meet at La Familia Nature Center near the park entrance.

Read more: Enjoy events at Bentsen-RGV State Park

Mission Historical Museum to Host 19th Annual Quilt Show

20241127 quilt show photo webThe Mission Historical Museum is excited to announce the 19th Annual Quilt Show and is now accepting entries for this beloved community tradition. Quilt enthusiasts are invited to participate by submitting their best work in three categories: Bed Quilts, Wall Hangings, and Other.

Entry forms and quilts will be accepted at the museum beginning Tuesday, December 3. The submission deadline is Friday, January 3, 2025. Entries can be delivered between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. The Mission Historical Museum advises early registration, as space is limited, and entries will be capped if capacity is reached before the deadline.

Read more: Mission Historical Museum to Host 19th Annual Quilt Show

PSJA ISD theatre groups present musicals

PSJA ECHS Wizard of Oz web

The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) Fine Arts Department has announced the upcoming performances of its award-winning theatre groups who will showcase their skills this fall during their annual children’s shows.

Three of PSJA ISD's high schools are gearing up to showcase children's musicals this fall, following PSJA Memorial High School's earlier production of Charlotte’s Web last month. PSJA Early College High School, PSJA North Early College High School, and PSJA Southwest Early College High School will each present their production, highlighting the district’s dedication to providing fine arts opportunities for all students.

Read more: PSJA ISD theatre groups present musicals

The joy of giving during the holiday season

Two Boys with Toys 1 scaled PRINT webThe joy of giving can be found during any time you choose to give. But, during the holiday season, make that joy even brighter. It is a time when we get to really see the fruits of our labor. Whether we are giving presents to the less fortunate, donating books to a school, helping an organization with meals, or volunteering at the food bank.

We have already mentioned a few places to give to during this holiday season. The shoebox drop offs are wrapping up this year, but there are still ways to give online. You can visit the Operation Christmas Child at www.samaritanspurse.org and find out how you can still pack a shoebox online to give to a child this holiday season. If you have sent a box, there are ways to follow where your box went as well. And there are directions and tips on how to host your own party so you can start prepping for next year.

Read more: The joy of giving during the holiday season

Vietnam veteran to share struggles and triumphs

20241127 MOSTH Fernando Alvarez Veteran Image webThe Museum of South Texas History will host the Sunday Speaker Series presentation, “Fernando Alvarez Vietnam Story,” a documentary featuring Rio Grande Valley native Fernando Alvarez, at 2 p.m., December 1.

This half-hour documentary is a story of courage and emotions from the perspective of Alvarez, who served in the Vietnam War. In the documentary, Alvarez shares his journey in enlisting, the trials he faced in Vietnam and adjusting to a new life back in the United States. However, Alvarez soon realized that his military service caused symptoms of post-traumatic stress. After the documentary screening, Alvarez will host a Q&A with the audience. Several personal items from Alvarez’s military tours in Vietnam will also be on display.

Read more: Vietnam veteran to share struggles and triumphs

Celebrate the holidays in the Valley

20191127 McAllen Christmas Tree Lighting Courtesy 9848 webSome more cities are having festive holiday celebrations between now and December 7. Most of our Valley cities light up their city Christmas trees by December 7, and here is another group that are turning on their holiday lights soon.

The City of Port Isable will have their 16th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Hometown Holiday Street Parade on Saturday, December 7. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. It will start at Laguna Madre Youth Center and end at the Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center. The tree lighting will be held afterwards at 7 p.m. at Beulah Lee Park where there will be performances, vendors, Santa, and more.

Read more: Celebrate the holidays in the Valley

Holiday Village returns for 15th season

20231202 Brownsville Holiday Village ALB 0011 webThe cottages of Holiday Village Brownsville are back at Dean Porter Park and are being prepared for the 15th annual yuletide event. With several new and updated displays, this year there will be over 30 fully decorated cottages lining the sidewalks.

For those who may not know, the Holiday Village at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville is a collection of miniature cottages, each one measuring about 10’ wide x 8’ deep and over 11’ tall, which are adorned inside and out with the most whimsical and adorable holiday trimmings. The Village is set up in the park every November, free and open to the public, and runs from the Monday before Thanksgiving through the first of the year. You can get a sneak peek at the villages online at www.holidayvillagebrownsville.com/cottages.

Read more: Holiday Village returns for 15th season

City of Edinburg to host Miracle on McIntyre

20211204 Edinburg Parade HMoering 10 webThe City of Edinburg is welcoming the holiday season with the Miracle on McIntyre celebration, a two-day festive extravaganza that will bring the community together for a series of holiday events sure to spread joy and Christmas cheer.

The festivities kick off on Thursday, December 5, with the official Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Promenade Park Amphitheater at 6 p.m. This special event will light up the season and feature a holiday market running until 9 p.m. Attendees can enjoy the sounds of carolers, take pictures with Santa, and experience the magic of a snow slide. The Christmas market will offer an array of food vendors and unique holiday gifts to start your seasonal shopping in style.

Read more: City of Edinburg to host Miracle on McIntyre

Start celebrating the holidays

20231201 Missions Christmas Tree Lighting HMoering DSC 0959 webThe Holidays are here, and everyone in the Valley is ready to celebrate. Cities are having Christmas Tree Lightings, parades, Christmas markets and more to get you ready for the joyful spirit of Christmas.

Mercedes will be having their Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, November 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening will feature food, music, games and shopping. It will be held at 520 E. 2nd St., at the Mercedes Civic Center.

The City of Weslaco and Weslaco Chamber of Commerce invite you to celebrate the holidays with them. Weslaco’s Holiday Kickoff: Tree lighting and holiday market starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 22. It will be held at the Weslaco City Hall, 255 S. Kansas Ave.

Read more: Start celebrating the holidays

Reserve your booth for Mission Health Fair

The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce is inviting local businesses to the Annual Mission Health and Wellness Fair that will be held on Thursday, December 5, and Friday, December 6. The event will be held at the Mission Event Center from 7 to 11:30 a.m. In partnership with Mission Regional Medical Center, they’re providing free services that include blood exams, bone density tests, blood circulation checks, stroke risk assessments, and more to the community.

There are still booth opportunities available for the event.

There are several reasons why you should join them for this year’s health and wellness fair. There will be an opportunity to connect with the Mission community and show your support, as well as a networking opportunity to meet potential customers, partners, and fellow Chamber members. Local businesses can contribute to the community’s health and well-being with free medical services. Of course, marketing gives you a chance to showcase your business to a captive audience.

For booth information or other inquiries, contact the chamber at candance@missionchamber.com. For additional information, call (956) 585-2727.

Operation Christmas Child drop-off locations are open

20241120 Operation Christmas Kid with Purse 1636CB F 1031 webChildren in need are being blessed this Christmas season through the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child. Individuals, families and groups have the opportunity to pack a shoebox gift filled with fun toys, school supplies, and personal care items and drop them off now during National Collection Week, which runs through November 25. There are more than 4,700 drop-off locations open around the country.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for more than three decades. In 2024, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 12 million children. The project of Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

Read more: Operation Christmas Child drop-off locations are open

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