Jose G. Landa
Staff Writer

With the holidays fast approaching, Academy Sports + Outdoors celebrated what matters most – the giving spirit by hosting its 16th annual Bike Donation program on Wednesday December, 20,2017 at Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary.

Kool Smiles, a leading provider of quality dental care for children and families in San Antonio, is coordinating for the sixth year, “Operation Troop Treats” to encourage children to bring their Halloween candy to any of the area Kool Smiles dental offices in exchange for a toy. All donated candy will be sent in care packages to U.S. service members stationed overseas viaOperation Gratitude.

Operation Troop Treats promotes good dental health and gives San Antonio children and families an opportunity to send deployed U.S. troops a “sweet” reminder of home during the holiday season.

In 2016, children donated more than four tons of candy through the Operation Troop Treats program. Kool Smiles is encouraging area families to exceed last year’s candy contribution. 

Every child who donates 25 pieces of unopened candy in its original packaging at a Kool Smiles office will receive one toy. There is a limit of 3 toys per child and toys will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition to the candy collected, Kool Smiles is donating 200 dental kits for deployed U.S. troops, as well as the funds to cover the assembly and shipment of 200 Operation Gratitude care packages.

For more information on Operation Troop Treats, including the nearest participating Kool Smiles office, please visitwww.mykoolsmiles.com/trooptreats.  

WHEN:        Saturday, Oct. 28 through Saturday, Nov. 4 during business hours.

WHERE:    

·      Kool Smiles Eagle Pass – 432 S. Bibb Ave., San Antonio TX, Phone: 830-421-3040

·      Kool Smiles San Antonio-Leon Valley – 5601 Bandera Rd., Leon Valley, TX, Phone: 210-521-1733

·      Kool Smiles San Antonio-McCreless – 3850 S. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio TX, Phone: 210-485-1859

Jose G. Landa

Staff writer

IBC Bank donated $1,500 to the Candles for Life organization this past Sunday during the Inaugural International Border Cup held at the Eagle Pass Golf Club.

IBC Bank Eagle Pass Branch President and CEO Hector Cerna presented the check to the Candles for Life organization which included President Becky Robinson, Vice President Norma Salinas, Secretary Sheri Roberts and Treasurer Zulma Sandoval. 

Ana Ortiz of Ponytails for Love is inviting the community to participate throughout  the year in donating their locks of hair for a worthy cause.

Eagle Pass Youth Center Director Alfonso Mallen, staff and members would like to thank UGK Barber Shop, House of Cutz,  The City of Eagle

Tuesday, May 9, Director of Public Affairs for Union Pacific Ivan Jaime presented a check in the amount of $1,000 to board members of the Fishermen off God Corporation to support efforts to construct a retreat center in Maverick County.

The Boys and Girls Club Drug Free Basketball League recieved a much needed monetry donation from Wal Mart on Tuesday, May 2.  

The LBJ Head Start center received a $1600 donation from Walmart to help with costs for the non-profit agency, Kids Are First, which runs the Head Start program.

   On Thursday, February 23, Stage Stores Executives (Bealls) Corporation based out of Houston, Tx, along with local Bealls Store Manager Rogelio Enriquez, traveled to Memphis, Tennessee for the official check presentation for the amount of $975, 287.00 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Uvalde, Texas – Organizers say upwards of 22,000 people attend the 2016 Palomino Fest Labor Day Weekend Celebration held last weekend (Sept. 1 - Sept. 4) at the Uvalde County Fairplex.

Festival founders, the Arreola brothers presented a $25,000 check to college president Dr. Hector Gonzales to help fund the Los Palominos scholarship at SWTJC. 

Wade Carpenter, festival coordinator recognized the volunteers and partners who helped with this year's festival.

“It takes many volunteers and partnerships to produce an event of this magnitude,” said Wade Carpenter, festival coordinator. “It was a great weekend that ended with a surprise fireworks celebration on Sunday night to cap off the 20th anniversary of Palomino Fest. We are already working on plans for 2017.”

In addition, Carpenter offers special thanks to the County of Uvalde, the Uvalde Chamber of Commerce, the Uvalde Convention and Visitor's Bureau and all the local businesses that supported the 2016 festival.

Palomino Fest has donated approximately $200,000 to SWTJC.