Every year we enjoy sharing what parks and other Winter Texan residents do for the communities they reside in while visiting the Valley. Winter Texans collect food, make crafts, sew, quilt and more. By the end of the year many have donated dozens of blankets, books, meals, hats, and more to those in their parks and to the communities around them.

At the end of the 2025 season, I received an email from Angel Baker at Seven Oaks Resort with photos of the many activities they did at their park including sewing quilts for five park Veterans and honoring some residents who attended a thank you luncheon at Mission Regional Medical Center (MRMC) that was held to thank volunteers.

Baker said they have a very active group of ladies that sew and quilt. The group made “Quilts of Valor’ for Butch Baker, Bill Baker, John Harrington, Jack Martin, and Mike Enright. They had a very moving ceremony in March to present the blankets, and the wives even had a place of honor in the golf cart parade. They had bagpipes and a bugler for TAPS. Among the committee members honoring the Veterans were Pat Robshaw (Army WAC), Gail Dennis, and Cindy Olsen.

Cindy Olsen, Crystal Stahl, and Julie Johnson attended the At-Home Volunteer Luncheon at MRMC. The luncheon was held to thank the volunteers in the area for their donations of baby blankets, quilts, hats, booties, and other items to the hospitals maternity department.

The team from Seven Oaks donated 39 blankets, 24 hats, and several burp cloths last season.

This is just a little bit of what Seven Oaks does for their community. We know many other parks do the same for their communities. We love seeing and sharing what you are doing for your community.

We would love to share what you have been, or are currently, doing for your community. Whether it is for residents in your park, a local charity or food bank, a local school or library, it doesn’t matter – we want to see the way you are giving back. You can send your information and photos to news@wintertexantimes.com.