08/24/2025
Dear fellow Rotarians
We experienced a blessed day filled with joy and unforgettable moments, seeing not only the happiness but also the deep gratitude on the faces of families and children as they received beds with mattresses, complemented by cookies, cupcakes, and fruit baskets.
Our District received a $25,000 Disaster Response Grant from Rotary International to help families affected by the flooding that occurred in late March of this year. With this support, we purchased mattresses and bed frames and identified approximately 40 families in need across three locations:
• Pharr, TX – 20 families
• Donna, TX – 6 families
• Edinburg, TX – 13 families
Rotarians and volunteers from our clubs came together at each site to unload trucks, distribute beds, and provide compassionate assistance—Rotarians in action from the heart, motivated by service and dedication.
Special thanks to Sonia Quintero, Shirley Lih-Lan, and Sonia’s niece Daniela and Majo for baking the cookies, Marianella and Sonia’s family team for preparing the packages and fruit, and Ramona and her team from ARISE Adelante for their outstanding support.
With special gratitude to Eddie Bartnesky
District Foundation Chair and Elaine Hernandez
District Governor for coordinating this unforgettable day of service.