Letter to Editor: Valero Steps Up
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Vol. 16, No. 5 Sunday, December 2, 2018 USPS 9400 / Cost .75 ¢ LETTER TO EDITOR: VALERO STEPS UP On, Wednesday, November 28, Valero Texas City Refinery presented checks totaling $415,000 to 23 local charities with programs serving children in our area. Programs included those bat- tling food insecurity, encouraging education, providing mentoring services, and advocating on behalf of kids in foster care. The funds were raised though the Valero Texas Open Benefit for Children (VTOBFC), where Valero employees, business partners and other sponsors rally together across 12 golf courses. This year the VTOBFC raised over $12 million. Since Valero started this effort in 2002, it has raised over $138 million for children’s charities worldwide. The Texas City ISD Foundation for the Future was one of the organizations receiving gener- ous funds enabling the Foundation to: 1. Continue our “Helping Hands Program (HHP)” - Providing assistance to students, who par- ticipate in the free or reduced lunch program and/or do not have basic personal items. 2. Develop and implement two new projects; “The Lunch and Learn” – Teaching prenatal care and child development; and, the “Start Fresh at TCHS with Suds and Stuff” – Creating a resourceful and multipurpose area for Texas City High School’s economically disadvantaged students and their families. For this and much more, we thank Valero Texas City Refinery! José Boix, President - Texas City ISD Foundation for the Future Valero reps, including Comptroller Jim Macpherson (second from left) and Plant Manager Sal Viscontini (second from right) are pictured with Foundation Executive Direc- tor Christina Hall Payne and Foundation President Jose' Boix (both in the center). GIVE WISELY ALL THROUGH THE SEASON: BBB ALERTS DONORS TO CHARITY SCAMS AND TIPS ON GIVING DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON From collection kettles to toy drives to end-of-the-year tax deductions, the spirit of the holidays means giving to favorite causes and to those less fortunate. With that in mind, several charities started Giving Tuesday to follow the busy shop- ping weekend after Thanksgiving (Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday). Giving Tuesday fell on November 27, this year; unfortunately the need continues throughout the season. So it becomes really important to make sure that when we give, our dollars reach their expected destination. Unfortunately, scammers also take advantage of the giving season to perpetuate charity fraud, and the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas is sharing examples of possible scams to educate donors: Fake or copycat charities: Scammers sometimes set up fake charities with similar sounding names of well-known charities. These fake charities may appear online, creating websites, phishing emails, or social media pages piggyback- ing off of the names of other charities. In some instances, the entity may falsely claim an affiliation to a legitimate charity by using its name or logo without permission in order to trick donors into giving. Crowdfunding donation scams: Chances are you’ve seen crowdfunding campaigns online, which may include a variety of opportunities to give to individuals in need. Most crowdfunding campaigns are well-meaning but, unfortunately, some are not. Scammers are active on crowdfunding sites too, as witnessed with the recent news concerning the individuals connected to the alleged Good Samaritan scam, supposedly helping a homeless veteran following his good deed when, according to prosecutors, the entire story was a ruse to target potential donors. Aggressive telemarketers: Although phone fundraisers can be helpful for legitimate orga- CONTINUED ON PG 2 CMR. GEORGE P. BUSH ANNOUNCES TEMP HOUSING PROGRAM FOR HARVEY SURVIVORS "ROCKIN' IN A WINTER WONDERLAND" LA MARQUE CHRISTMAS AUSTIN - Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush PARADE WEDNESDAY, DEC 5 announced on Wednesday the Federal Emergency The City of La Marque and Texas City – La Marque Chamber of Commerce are proud to present La Marque’s Management Agency (FEMA) has granted a Tempo- annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony Wednesday, December 5, 2018. This year’s theme is rary Housing Units (THU) Sales to Occupants program Rockin’ in a Winter Wonderland. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. on Westward near Bobby Beach Park. The for Hurricane Harvey survivors still residing in federally Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Walter Feigle Park, next to La Marque Public Library, immediately funded manufactured housing units and travel trailers. following the parade. Commissioner Bush sent an official request on Oct. 12 The parade route will start from Westward near Bobby Beach Park, head south toward Cedar, turn left on requesting the sales program be made available for Cedar, left on Bayou, right on First Street and left on Laurel. The parade ends at Laurel and Bayou. Partici- eligible survivors in counties and municipalities wishing pant pickup is at the parking lot near La Marque Economic Development Corporation. to participate in the program. Galveston County has Mayor Bobby Hocking invites all citizens and friends to join us at Walter Feigle Park directly after the pa- agreed to participate in the sales program. rade to have pictures taken with Santa and enjoy the holiday festivities. Popcorn, hotdogs and hot chocolate According to federal requirements, FEMA's tempo- will be provided by the La Marque Lions Club and Snow King. There is still plenty of room for floats. To enter, rary housing assistance is set to expire 18 months after call 409-935-1408 or email [email protected]. the date of the disaster. Commissioner Bush also sent For the safety of parade on-lookers and participants, please respect the following parade rules and regu- a request for an extension of the deadline from Feb. lations: 25, 2019, to Nov. 25, 2019, as well as a rent waiver for 1. Float line up starts on Westward Avenue, near Bobby Beach Park. Participants should come down FM survivors. The extension was granted through Aug. 25, 1765, head south on Westward. Lineup is first come, first served order. No floats or trailers will be allowed 2019, however, the rent waiver was declined. to enter Bobby Beach Park. Currently, there are 1,582 households in the THUs 2. All walking and marching groups will be at the front of the parade, immediately following City Council. being administered by the Texas General Land Office No walkers under the age of 14 years old. (GLO). The GLO is diligently assisting those remain- 3. For the safety of parade participants, side streets off Westward will be blocked during parade lineup. ing intemporary housing units with working toward their Please notify spectators that viewing will be better after the intersection of Westward and Rosedale, from permanent housing plan by connecting residents with Cedar, Bayou, First Street and Laurel. available housing solution resources such as rental re- 4. There will be no horses allowed in or around the parade. sources, Disaster Case Management, Long-Term Re- 5. Santa is waiting for the kids at Walter Feigle Park. Please don’t confuse them by dressing as Santa in covery Groups, and ensuring eligible households are the parade. aware of the Community Development Block Grant for 6. Parade participant transportation to Walter Feigle Park is available. Meet at Second Street and Laurel Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) resources and applica- for a ride. tion processes. 7. Drop off/Pick up of parade par- ticipants on floats is at Laurel and Second Street, in the parking lot near La Marque Economic Devel- opment Corpora- tion. To enter the parade or for in- formation, email kaela@texasci- tychamber.com or call 409-935- 1408. There is also a Facebook event with infor- mation. 2 Sunday, December 2, 2018 www.thepostnewspaper.net THE POST GIVE WISELY CONTINUED FROM PG 1 nizations seeking support, calls that aggressively ask you to donate money are a red flag. The BBB urges donors to research charities and possible scams before giving to ensure that their generous contributions are going to trustworthy organizations and offers the following tips to avoid scams: • Watch out for name similarities. When charities seek support for the same cause, their names are often similar. Before you give, be sure you have the exact name of the charity to avoid a case of mistaken identity. • Avoid on-the-spot donation decisions from unfamiliar organizations. • Be wary of emotional appeals and always research the charity when possible • If donating to a crowdfunding campaign, only give to individuals you know. • Recognize telemarketing cautions. Telemarketing can be a costly method of fundraising unless carefully managed. If interested in donating after receiving a call on behalf of a charity, always check out the organization before donating. • Never agree to use wire transfer, gift cards or pre-paid debit cards. Check online or call The Better Business Bureau • And most importantly, when you can, Give Locally. The POST Community Calendar GALVESTON friendswoodchamber. COUNTY, CITY com COUNCIL AND COMMISSION YEAR IN REVIEW MEETINGS LUNCH -December 14, 2018, Due to holidays some dates 11:30am to 1:00pm at of city meetings may vary South Shore Harbour from original schedule Resort, 2500 South Shore Boulevard in GALVESTON COUNTY League City. This event County Commissioners will feature holiday meet the first and music, awards and third Tuesday of every more. Tickets are $25 month –December 4, for members and $35 18, 2018 1:30pm at for non-members. Go County Courthouse, THE STUDENTS AND SPONSORS OF SEVERAL TEXAS CITY HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS VOLUN- to the League City 722 Moody, Galveston TEERED WITH THE FOOD PREPARATION AND COAT DRIVE THAT SERVED THE TEXAS CITY COM- Regional chamber web- site to register and call BAYOU VISTA MUNITY OVER THANKSGIVING BREAK. –PHOTO COURTESY TCISD. 281-338-7339 for more City Council meets the Wednesday of every OTHER EVENTS Texas City – La Marque right and end up on information.