Verturo Construction owner Joey Holand wanted to help veterans. In 2016, Holand and his wife donated a hunting trip that reunited two combat-wounded veterans. The pair had been separated after their tours of duty. “That weekend changed me as a person,” Holand said. “It changed me on how we look at our veterans.” Holand’s company and other contractors, in partnership with H-E-B’s Operation Appreciation and the nonprofit Operation Finally Home,…
Many historians contend that Brownsville is the second most historic city in Texas, ranking behind only San Antonio. Facts to back up that claim abound, with the Brownsville Historical Association acting as a primary resource to discover that story. With a valuable arsenal of facts, information and buildings that open doors to the past, the association offers a look back to the original city founders, battles fought in this part…
The Humane Society of Harlingen is looking forward to its annual Wine & Whiskers event – and this year’s event will hold special meaning. The March 30 fundraiser will honor the Humane Society’s founders – Marilyn White, Susan McCarthy, Laverne Hill and Dr. Marguerite DeWitt. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the TSTC Cultural Arts Center. It’s a sellout, a credit, in part, to the flurry of activity…
One of the shops along Jackson Street in downtown Harlingen is a thrift store that not only recycles old clothes and other merchandise, it fosters new beginnings for victims of domestic family violence and sexual assault. The small retail outlet is operated by the Family Crisis Center of the Rio Grande Valley. “Repeat Performance generates revenue that comes back into the center to help us run the center,” said Laura…
Due to the extended period of the government shutdown, nonprofit and social service organizations in need of emergency bridge loans are eligible for up to $50,000 in low-interest capital from PeopleFund. The loans are designed to help nonprofits with government subsidies that rely on federal funding to provide vital community services. Organizations will need to provide proof of federal contract (NOFA or reimbursement agreement), financial statements, recent 990s and other documentation. The…
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is accepting applications for its Partnership Grant. The grant is awarded to 501(c)3 organizations with projects that will significantly impact the city’s sales tax revenues. This includes events, activities and campaigns taking place from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019. The Partnership Grants is the replacement for the Promotion & Community Events Grant. This grant provided supplemental funding for marketing expenditures towards community events, campaigns or…
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Harlingen opened the doors of its new location this week in a renovated building made possible by a groundswell of community support. The building on First Street formerly housed Loaves and Fishes. It was acquired by Habitat for Humanity early this year along with the former Zarsky’s Lumber property across the street. The eight-month inside-and-out renovation project was made possible by tens of thousands…
Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is seeking nonprofit and city partners to partner with to promote economic development. BCIC looks to promote the development through the BCIC Partnership Grants which focus on community development projects. Both nonprofit organizations and city departments are the focus of the grants. By design, the awards engage in the necessary community development needed to promote economic development opportunities. Through the grants, the BCIC will supplement up to $5,000…
Local nonprofits in need of a website may apply until May 27 to have a WordPress website created specifically for them. The charity hackaton do_action takes place June 22-23, allowing the RGV community to create websites for local nonprofit organizations. Created by CodeRGV and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the hackathon, providing five nonprofits with completed websites. The 24-hour event will be a platform for participants to works as teams, bringing unique…
A deciding factor for many people who give to nonprofit organizations is how much of their donation will go to administrative costs, because they want to know their money goes directly to fund charitable works. The answer to that question for the Rio Grande Valley affiliate of Habitat for Humanity is zero. The reason behind that is the success of Habitat for Humanity ReStore retail outlets in McAllen and Harlingen…