Lions Club and La Feria Area Chamber of Commerce Back to School Donations

Updated: September 13, 2019

Special to La Feria News

The recent flood put a strain on parents, not only emotionally, but financially. The flood affected the residents living in the western portion of Cameron county, a border county with a large population of residents living in poverty already. The families that live in these rural communities are struggling to get back on their feet and the children are the most in need. Lions know that a disaster can affect anyone’s community.

For decades, The Lions’ efforts focus in areas of vision, diabetes, disaster relief, youth, and humanitarian causes. Wherever disaster strikes, Lions are often among the first to offer aid. Working together with local Lions, Lion leaders can assess urgent needs and quickly deliver aid to disaster victims —enabling Lions to serve when and where there’s a need. There’s no telling when or where a disaster might strike. But you can help make sure that Lions will always be there when they’re needed. WE SERVE!

The Back to School Backpacks and School Supplies events was a success! Lead organizers; Lion Helen Muse, Secretary of the Harlingen Amigas Lions Club and Lion Alma Martinez Botello, Secretary of the La Feria Lions Club and Director of Operations of the La Feria Area Chamber of Commerce were able to bring together and coordinate thirteen Lion Clubs of District 2-A3 to donate and volunteer.

To help make it an even bigger impact in the communities effected with the aftermath of the June 24th storm, the Lion Clubs worked side-by-side with local community organizations and government entities. The Lion Clubs collected over 500 backpacks with school supplies. About 300 backpacks were donated to the students in Santa Rosa ISD, 100 backpacks were donated to the students in La Feria ISD, and 100 backpacks were donated to students in Santa Maria ISD.

The event is not only geared towards helping students and their families prepare for the school year but also to empower service for generations to come. This would not be possible if not for the 80 volunteers, the Lions Clubs of District 2-A3 and the following donors :

Corpus Christi LIONS
Rockport LIONS
Odem LIONS
Kingsville LIONS
Sinton Nite LIONS
Aransas Pass LIONS
Harlingen Amigas LIONS
La Feria LIONS
Los Fresnos LIONS
Donna LIONS
Mercedes LIONS
Harlingen LIONS
Brownsville LIONS
Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr.
Cameron County Clerk Sylvia Garza Perez
Cameron County Constables Pct. 5 Eddie Solis
Cameron County Assistant District Attorney Janie Jaimez
Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio
Cameron County Sheriff Deputies Association
Judge Adolfo Cordova
Judge Louis Sorola
Judge Migdalia Lopez
Attorney Nemecio Lopez
Attorney Sara Stapleton Barrera
Attorney Ricardo Barrera
Harlingen EMS
City of Santa Rosa Fire Department
City of Santa Rosa Police Department Chief Hernandez
City of Santa Rosa Mayor Bobby De La Fuente
Santa Rosa Fire Department
Family Griselda Diaz & Family Oralia Hinojosa
Sharing His Harvest
La Feria United Methodist Church
Faith Pleases God Church
La Feria Area Chamber of Commerce
Quintanilla Convention Center
New Image Beauty School
The Neighborhood Doctor
J and B Billing Services

“Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It’s the way in which we grow and develop.” Dorothy Height. Remember you are making a difference in each person you touch today. A simple smile can light up the room. Be joyful, have fun, and project positivity to the people around you and those who you are serving today. I want to sincerely thank everyone who took part in making this event possible. I am humbled and appreciative to see the kindness and generosity of so many individuals here today. Your compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love of one another are shown by your contributions and volunteerism here today. You are serving a community in need. Despite recent flooding that occurred and hardship followed, our people have shown strength, courage, and resilience. We love you and God bless everyone. – Alma Martinez-Botello, LION

“On behalf of the City of Santa Rosa and as Mayor, I would like to thank everybody who contributed to the backpacks…” – Mayor of City of Santa Rosa Bobby De La Fuente.