2015 Annual Report

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. 2015 Annual Report United Way of South Texas 1 Be A Part of The Live United Movement . A Message From The President We close 2015 with unprecedented accomplishments, new partners and extended services in Hidalgo & Starr Counties. Through collaborations, the United Way of South Texas was able to convene volunteers from all Thelma M. Garza, President sectors to meet emerging needs. Some included 1) strengthening and ex- panding the Volunteer Income Tax (VITA) program, 2) opening food pan- tries in school districts, 3) establishing the Volunteer South Texas website, 4) creating a local VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters) Chapter that includes valley wide representation and 5) continuing support of LatinaHope. We opened our doors to many non-profits and corporations in need of conference room space. We have had 130 meetings in our conference rooms. Space may be reserved (by supporters) for a nominal fee, by calling 956-686-6331. The VITA program was in its fourth year under the leadership of United Way. With sites located from Weslaco to Roma, we served 2,600 families and experienced a 31% increase in returns to them, $5,471,543. An esti- mated 200 volunteers saved families at least $395,000 in fees. Thanks to our community partners: City of McAllen, Affordable Homes, Goodwill In- dustries, STC, UT-RGV, La Joya ISD, McAllen ISD, Monte Alto ISD, PSJA ISD, Rio Grande City, Rio Grande City CISD and Roma ISD. Thank you to all financial institutions that made monetary contributions. 2015 was the best VITA year! In September we launched the first comprehensive volunteer website for Rio Grande Valley residents, www.volunteersotx.org. Ms. Jeanette Ahle- nius has been the “key” to ensuring that local non-profits, municipalities and faith based organizations are properly trained to update their volunteer opportunities on the system. We have documented over 8,500 visits to the website and 569 registered volunteers. Our Board is excited about connecting people to meaningful service projects right here at home. Local agencies responded to unexpected torrential rainfall in the mid-valley. They have worked diligently to respond to the numerous needs of families, however, they all have limited resources. The purpose of form- ing a local VOAD committee is to coordinate volunteers from counties, municipalities and other non-profits who are in a position to offer unique assistance to families after disasters. Their work will support the services offered by agencies such as The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. An application is available for entities interested in being consid- ered for membership. LatinaHope is a collaborative effort between United Way, Wells Fargo, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and Calvary Baptist Church. The number of participants grew from 15 per session to 50. Twelve women were awarded $250 worth of material to help them start a home-based business. The goal is to help women supplement their families’ income, through sales of products generated from their businesses. We thank all of our contributors, partner agencies, volunteers who believe in our work and help us strive for a better tomorrow. Together we continue to LIVE UNITED. 2 EDUCATION Day of Caring You ensure that 3,300 Freshmen (9th Grade) have basic school supplies Approximately 11 high schools receive supplies • 250 volunteers package school supplies Education Council You support funding for Drop-out Recovery and Food Pantry programs at 7 districts • Grants help teachers respond to student emergency needs • 20 School District volunteers help identify and establish grant levels “In Style” Shopping Spree You ensure that 120 Middle School students return to school with new clothing • Each student receives $150 in new clothing, plus school supplies and haircuts • 175 volunteers assist students make the best selection of school attire HEALTH Familywize •We distribute Familywize discount prescription cards, honored at many local pharmacies •Cards sometimes offer a better savings and may be kept for unlimited usage Transportation Vouchers •Free bus vouchers are distributed thru 42 agencies to assist residents: keep medical appointments, pick-up prescriptions, attend job interviews/training, secure emergency transportation to work •19,426 free bus rides saved families $58,278 in transportation costs INCOME V.I.T.A. (FREE Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) •I.R.S. certified volunteers prepare income tax forms for families who earn $53,000 or less •2,631 families received the service, their returns were $5,471,543 Brian and Gennetta Griffin, FedEX If you or your company are interested in joining the movement and 2015 Day of Caring would like to volunteer, you can call (956)686-6331 or visit us at www.unitedwayofsotx.org. 3 Our New Home United Way of South Texas has a new home. The Board of Directors and staff are eternally grateful to the Foundations, Corporations, Municipalities and private donors who have generously donated to the Capital Drive. They also ask for the business community’s support in its endeavor to continue to secure funds to wrap-up their financial commitment for the site. The organization’s physi- cal presence now allows staff to extend some direct services. In addition, cor- porate and non-profit supporters have access to a training center that allows them to gather over 100 volunteers per session. Lee Jones, AEP Texas Manager of Ex- ternal Affairs and United Way of South Texas Board Chair and his wife, Mrs. Martha Jones, gifted United Way a stun- ning mosaic of the logo. Mrs. Jones is a mosaic enthusiast. They dedicated countless hours and several months to creating the 3’ x 5’ foot mosaic that has approximately 551 stained glass pieces. Thank you to the Jones. Lee Jones, AEP Texas and Family. Donated this beautiful mosaic. 4 Advancing The Common Good “Thank you” to the following individuals and entities, for their support of the Capital Drive. Benefactor ($50,000 & more) City of McAllen Collins Foundation Cook Foundation Visionary ($20,00 - $49,000) AEP Texas City of Mission Max & Alma Siporin Endowment Wells Fargo Foundation Advocate ($5,000 - $19,999) City of Roma D. Wilson Construction Thelma M. Garza & Manolo Garibay International Bank of Commerce (IBC) Lee & Martha Jones Frank & Annette Margo McAllen Chamber of Commerce Pavers In Memory of $300 Dr. Linda Limon & Dr. Marla Guerra Lee, Martha Jones & Family Gina & Carly de la Garza “Shinning Stars” Jim & Joyce Deuser Pavers Cecilia & Robert Mumford MLM, Inc. $800 “Realitos’ Pride” The Garza Sisters Rhonda Gillum - Certified Public Accountant Pavers $500 Pavers Body Brite $1,000 Jenise Diaz-Finance Chair 2010-2015 Alma & Wayne Johnson Abriendo Puertas Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez LLP Adrian & Lupita Villarreal 5 5 Celebrating our Hero of the Year Jim Deuser, Sales Manager, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, was recognized as our 2014 South Texas Hero .The South Texas Hero Award is presented to an indi- vidual that demonstrates commitment and leadership in his/her community, through extraordinary engagement in year-round community service projects. Jim Deuser has worked with the United Way of South Texas as Past Chairman of the Board and Campaign Chair. He con- tinues his involvement in Fund Distribu- tion where he has volunteered for over 20 years. Mr. Deuser also serves on the Unit- ed Way’s Building Capital Drive committee and as an outstanding campaign speaker. The Board expresses their appreciation to Mr. Deuser for his continuous volunteer efforts and contributions throughout the years. 6 The work ethic and passion of our Campaign Volunteer Leadership is inspiring. We commend all Campaign volunteers for their dedication and countless hours of work. 2015 has been a unique and challenging year, from which we embraced new strategies, for the benefit of local families. United Way funds 23 partner agencies and over 100 programs. The community’s support is essential to our ability to assist these important agencies. In 2014, over 286,000 residents in Hidalgo & Starr Counties were impacted by a United Way funded agency or program. This represents almost 30% of the population. Volunteer Leadership Edna Garcia, Campaign Co-Chair Security Service FCU Alma Ortega-Johnson Campaign Co-Chair Wells Fargo Loaned Executives Raul Banda, Conn’s Inc. Jose Luna, H-E-B Rolando Ayala, Lone Star National Bank Jennifer Moya, Boys & Girls Club of Edinburg Robert Chamberlain, Security Service FCU Delia Perez, Starr County Emigdio Cahue, HEB Karen Pittman, IBC Elizabeth Garcia, Boys & Girls Club of Pharr David Charles Saenz, City of Rio Grande City Kay Garza, Wells Fargo Charleen Salazar, Inter National Bank 2015 Sonia Gonzalez, WellsLoaned Fargo Executives Douglas Silva, Lone Star National Bank Ventura Hinojosa, StarrRio County Grande City Cesar Rodriguez, City of McAllen Maribel Land, Security First Credit Union Melissa Tagle, Navy Army CCU Osly Licea, Inter National Bank Laura Wiles, IBC 7 TOP 10 COMPANIES & DISTRICTS top 10 companies 1. HEB Stores & HEB RSC 2. Walmart & Sam’s Club 3. GE Aviation 4. Inter National Bank 5. Target 6. United Parcel Service (UPS) 7. International Bank of Commerce (IBC) 8. AEP Texas 9. City of McAllen 10. South Texas Health System 8 The community’s donations, through the Campaign, are invested in diverse projects, including: •Address needs of over 286,927 local residents ... annual investment $1,711,500. top 10 DISTRICTS •Provide school supplies to 3,300 youth an- nually ... $131,777 invested to date. 1. McAllen I.S.D. •Provide school attire to 120 students annu- ally ... $184,500 invested to date. 2. Edinburg C.I.S.D. •Prepare over 2,600 income tax returns at 3. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo I.S.D. no cost to local families ... over $5.4 million in returns and approximately $395,000 in 4. Mission C.I.S.D.

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