MARCH 11, 2026 www.wintertexantimes.com 4 WINTER TEXAN TIMES 27146 McLelland Dr., Harlingen, TX 78552 (956) 423-1446, www.gowithjo.com for complete itineraries Go...With Jo! Tours & Travel We Take Care of You! Padre Island & Brownsville (1 Day) April 2, 2026 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$95 San Benito – Rio Hondo (1 Day) April 6, 2026 �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������$105 Harlingen – La Feria (1 Day) April 3, 2026 �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������$105 (Prices are per person / Lunch Included) ONE DAY TOURS Reunions are a great time to catch up with friends, old and new. If you would like to share your information, please send it in. We would love to see your photos as well and share with others what a great time you are having. You can send your reunions and photos to news@wintertexantimes. com. 3M Retirees & Friends 3M Retirees & Friends will meet on March 18, at Victoria Palms Restaurant in Donna at 10:30 a.m. For information, call Louise Hartsuiker, (612) 916-9236. Submarine Veterans The Submarine Veterans will meet for lunch at 11 a.m. on the third Thursday from now (Thursday, March 19) through April at the Junction Café, 11 S. Cage Blvd., in Pharr. For more information, contact Larry at (715) 305-0401. Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers The Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers will have their weekly Thursday get togethers at the Las Palmas Community Center, 1921 N. 25th St., in McAllen from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. They will meet every Thursday, excluding holidays, until the last Thursday in March 2026. Any questions, call Pam Horstman at (816) 590-6521. Submarine Veterans The Submarine Veterans will meet for lunch at 11 a.m. on the third Thursday from now (Thursday, April 16) through April at the Junction Café, 11 S. Cage Blvd., in Pharr. For more information, contact Larry at (715) 305-0401. zations that help children in crisis situations. At the annual teddy bear giveaway, held February 26, they gave away 500 teddy bears. It’s impossible to fully capture the community service these organizations perform, but here are some insights. Children’s Advocacy Centers of Cameron and Willacy Counties (CACCWC) CACCWC is a nonprofit staffed with social workers, forensic interviewers, therapists, and family advocates. It saw that abused children were re-traumatized by uncoordinated and repeated questions by well-meaning law enforcement, child welfare, medical, and legal entities. In a child-friendly setting, it coordinates a forensic interview and has grown to meet the longterm needs of the children and their families. CACCWC operates three centers: two in Cameron County (Maggie’s House, Monica’s House) and one in Willacy County (Jesse’s House). CACCWC honored Bonham’s Bears with a “thank you” card and Certificate of Appreciation. Loaves and Fishes, Rio Grande Valley Loaves and Fishes gave Bonham’s Bears a wish list that hints at some of their services by asking for items for “Bread of Life Dining Hall – Kitchen Area,” “Open Arms Shelter (Men’s & Women’s),” “Great Physician Healthy Living,” and “Reborn from the Ashes Mental Health Counseling.” Being a small group, Bonham’s Bears asks you to contact Loaves and Fishes if you can help meet their wish list. Dining hall needs include fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, oil, coffee and bread. The shelter needs bleach, Fabuloso, floor brushes, laundry soap, towels, shampoo, blankets, and pillowcases. Blood pressure cuff, Theraflu, Tylenol (kids and adults), test cloths, and otoscope for ear checks are a few items the healthy living program needs. For counseling, the organization needs puzzles, dominoes, Uno, playing cards, Jenga and Azul games, acrylic paints, markers, artwork canvases, a laminating machine, and notebooks or journals. Disposable utensils, cups and plates, takeout containers, paper towels, toilet tissue, and dish soap are a few general items they need. In the office, donations of copier paper (letter and legal), business envelopes, oscillating fan, and scissors are greatly appreciated. Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas Neydin Costilla is the Ronald McDonald Family Room Manager at the South Texas Health System Children’s Hospital in Edinburg. She spoke of recent growth and expansion of Ronald McDonald House services in Corpus Christi, Harlingen, and Edinburg. The Corpus Christi house is expanding to 45 rooms. Services are offered 24/7 even during holidays. In Edinburg, the family room gets 30 visits a day from families seeking a break. They are offered coffee, popcorn, and individually wrapped simple foods. Neydin says it means a lot to see the kids’ smiles at getting coloring books and teddy bears. Harlingen Fire Department Harlingen Firefighters said children are scared during incidents they respond to. It’s usually the driver who takes them teddy bears and sees the frowns turn upside down. Harlingen Police Department Harlingen Police has a community police role that includes a homeless liaison and street patrols. When you call 911 for an emergenBEARS From pg. 1
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