DECEMBER 17, 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com 6 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Veterans Peer Center receives support from WT park On Thursday, November 20, volunteers from Winter Ranch RV Resort prepared food to provide the Veterans on Friday, November 21. The food was delivered to the Weslaco Veterans Peer Center and then served to the Veterans and their families. Approximately 50 Veterans, spouses, and children were served a ham dinner with all of the fixings. They were all very appreciative. The remaining leftovers were placed in the refrigerator for additional meals to be eaten later by visitors to the peer center. The meals were made possible by the generous donations of the Winter Ranch residents which were a little over $600. After Bob Coakley paid for the food, $352 remained. The remaining funds were used to purchase gift cards for the Veterans and given to Anthony Beltran, Peer Center Coordinator. This was in addition to just over $250 of gift cards that were presented at the dinner. Coakley wants to give a huge thanks to all of those that donated toward the Weslaco Veterans holiday meal. This is the first time the park has donated to the peer center. Coakley said Beltran is a resident at the park. After finding out about the need due to a shortfall in funding, the park decided to step in and help. “We feel he is part of our family and wanted to help,” said Coakley. Beltran said donations like this are always appreciated. The homeless Veterans and common Veteran clients are always grateful. “They express gratitude easily,” said Beltran. Donations help alleviate the burden of the food pantry when the food bank runs dry and provide hygiene items for homeless Veterans to take with them on their travels. “There is a sound applause of ovations for these kinds of community gestures,” said Beltran about what the Winter Ranch residents did for the center. “So many smiling faces and shared camaraderie are visible when these meals and luncheons are provided. There is a positive mental health aspect in social facilitation that is supported by having such meals take place and this mental health boost is very much needed for Veterans that can be reintegrated and given the opportunity to create conversations that give them insight and encouragement to apply for programs that they may, otherwise, avoid without guidance or information.” The donations, both by sustenance and that which is monetary, he added, are both highly effective in providing additional center inventory stock and group motivation to break bread together as it should be. While state grants and facility budgets may be tight, donations help See VETERANS pg. 14 Winter Ranch residents prepared a feast for Veterans. (Photo courtesy of Winter Ranch)
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