Spring 2012 Newsletter
We at Good Samaritan Community Services-Rio Grande Valley (GSCS-RGV) are excited to bring you our very first
newsletter of a quarterly series. Our mission of “changing lives through excellent community service” is accomplished through the
Youth Development Services, after school and summer enrichment programs. During the spring 2012 after school
program GSCS-RGV served over 80 local students who participated in academic enrichment, character based asset
classes, and organized recreational activities. Through this newsletter we hope to provide you with a better picture of
happenings and events that make the GSCS-RGV center a lively and integral part of the RGV community. We hope you
enjoy reading about the exciting events that took place this spring!
How to make a butterfly
garden
GSCS-RGV kids have a lot to look forward to when longtime volunteer Lisa Cofoid arrives. They know they will
be involved in a creative and magical experience.
“Gardening is my new passion,” says Lisa. “Gardening is
an art form that is always evolving; you can always add
more.”
During the spring break camp kids participated in
designing and planting a new butterfly habitat and in
doing so learned about different native plant species. “I’ve
started gardening at home,” says GSCS-RGV participant Edgar Alonso (Age 10). Like Edgar many of the children at
GSCS-RGV have become excited about gardening since participating in the Junior Master Gardeners (JMG) program.
“One thing that amazes me about the students is their passion for nature since we started the JMG program,” says site
program coordinator Joseph Morin. JMG is a hands-on horticulture curriculum provided through the Texas Agri-Life
Extension office of Hidalgo County. JMG enriches children’s lives by igniting a passion for learning, success, and
service through a unique gardening education.
The butterfly garden was created in part through a grant from the Junior League of McAllen. Topsoil, compost, and
mulch were provided by Soil-Tech, Inc. of Pharr. Hands-on support and in-kind donations were also provided by
community volunteers like Lisa Cofoid, Allen Williams of Williams Wildscape, John Eldred Cozad, and students from
the University of Texas Pan American (UTPA) “I serve” alternative spring break group.
Good Samaritan RGV is extremely appreciative to the efforts of everyone who contributed to the creation of our new
butterfly habitat.
Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s
April 3-Every year Ben & Jerry’s gives away free ice cream! The annual
event is a way to say thanks to those who have supported the company
since the beginning. This year Good Samaritan was on hand to
distribute information and take donations as a part of the event. “It’s
wonderful to be able to inform the community about what we do at
GSCS-RGV,” says Trinity Church volunteer Mary Quinn. GSCS kids
participated by making colorful signs and talking to the customers
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Spring 2012 Newsletter
about the Good Samaritan program.. “We had a blast!” says Kendra Tostado (Age 8). “I especially loved the pecan ice
cream.” At the end of the day over 1,200 scoops of ice cream were served, and $800 was raised for GSCS-RGV. Owner
Jim Kryack was very enthusiastic about the results. “We are looking forward to having you back next year,” Jim
commented. Thank you very much, Jim!
Valley Land Fund Speaks to
Good Samaritan Students
This Spring Break at GSCS the Valley Land Fund was our opening
act to the week’s activity theme on nature. Lydia Cavazos, the
Conservation Outreach Coordinator, and Sandra Mann presented on
the topic of habitat conservation to the students. They were thrilled
at the chance to have students understand the importance of
preserving natural habitats. “It was truly a rewarding experience
meeting the kids at the center who already knew so much about
nature and wildlife, and now they know even more,” commented Lydia. From the start the students were enthusiastic
about learning more on what they can do to protect our natural resources. The Valley Land Fund energized students to
become involved in a week-long conservation effort at GSCS-RGV, an effort which consisted of building two new
raised beds to expand the organic vegetable garden and planting a beautiful new butterfly habitat near the GSCS office.
The mission of The Valley Land Fund is to preserve, expand, and enhance the native wildlife habitat of the Rio Grande
Valley through education, land ownership, and the creation of economic incentives. Plans are in the works for GSCS
kids to participate in the upcoming Valley Land Fund photo contest which takes place this summer. Stay tuned for
developments.
There’s a first for everything
On your marks, get set….GO! This is what our kids here at Good Samaritan
will be hearing on Saturday, April 28, at the 2nd annual GSCS Jane Cozad
Memorial 5k run/walk. Getting ready for this kind of race is not easy, so
during our Spring Break camp GSCS kids participated in a daily running camp
lead by NHS volunteer Thomas Garcia. During the 5-day camp students
learned different running/walking techniques, how to properly stretch, and
keep hydrated. They practiced hard, each day increasing running times and
endurance levels. “The kids are very proud of what they have accomplished,”
says running coach volunteer Thomas Garcia. Last year’s 5k was a new
experience for many of the GSCS kids. This year the Good Sam kid’s were
determined to do better than ever, and practice began early.
At GSCS we understand that being physically active is an essential component
to staying healthy. During our after school and summer programs Good
Samaritan offers fun, organized recreational opportunities that target the causes
of childhood obesity by reducing the amount of time kids are sedentary. “Half
the time they are having so much fun they don’t even realize it is exercise!” says
youth specialist Angie Orozco. Physical activity isn’t the only factor; eating
healthy is a contributor too. “We encourage our kids to eat healthy. Snacks do
not always have to consist of chips, candy, and soda,” comments volunteer
R.N. Martha Williams. “An apple, orange, cereal bar, or banana are delicious snacks that are rich in vitamins and great
for your body,” she goes on to say.
The Good Samaritan kids are constantly taught that being physically active and eating healthy every day is the best way
to live your life, and they themselves pass it on to their friends and families. GSCS encourages everyone to join us for
the 5k and encourage healthy living every day. Together we can fight childhood obesity!
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Spring 2012 Newsletter
Dog days of summer
Summer is quickly approaching, and the intense summer heat is always a concern for the site coordinator when planning
summer camp activities. Since 2009 we have relied on water jugs and cups with the water provided for youth coming
from the tap. This year our site is expected to serve over 100 kids daily, so the need for cooled water is paramount.
GSCS needs to raise $3,000 to have two cooled drinking fountains installed in time for the summer program, which
starts on June 11th. Like plants kids need water to thrive and grow, and any help to grow our kids this summer would be
appreciated. Please call Javier Gonzalez, Development coordinator, either at the GSCS office: 956-781-3560 or by cell
phone: 956-784-0682 if you or your group would like to help in this important endeavor.
Special Thanks to the GSCS_RGV
Jane Cozad Memorial 5k sponsors &
contributors:
•
HEB
•
Cozad Family
•
Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, LLP
•
Guerra Bros. Successors LTD.
•
South Texas Commercial Real Estate
•
Bert Ogden Dealership
•
Boggus Ford Dealership
•
Charles Clark Chevrolet
•
Julia A. Bland
•
Alice East
•
James & Frances McAllen
•
Carlos X Guerra Family
•
Bruce & Lori Goldman
•
James & Linda Nelson
•
Cofoid Family
•
Bert & Gertrude Forthuber
•
D&M Cleaners
•
Exquisite Jamaican Pastries
•
Tina G Jewelry
•
A&A Relations
•
James & Katherine McAllen
•
Frontera Produce
•
Ben & Jerry’s
•
Pharr Chamber of Commerce
•
Pharr Parks and Recreation
•
Trinity Episcopal Church
•
Southern Landscapes
•
Carino’s Italian
•
Sweet Temptations
•
Mr. & Mrs. John Pinkston
•
Liz & Rafa Garza
•
Cynthia Shipper
•
Marty Moore
•
Oscar Elizondo
•
Mark Dickerson
•
Trudy Abbott
•
Nolan Family Rev. Living Trust
•
Dr. Efraim Vela
•
Glen & Rita K. Roney
•
Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae of Hidalgo Co.
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Summer Volunteer Opportunities!!
Opportunities are available Monday-Friday from 8:00 am- 4:00pm.
Summer Camp runs from June 11th- August 3rd 2012
Participating youth are ages 6-14 yrs.
Special Project Facilitators
•
Spend one hour a week using your skills and talent to facilitate
a special project:
Music
Art Class (Photography, Drawing, etc.)
Gardening
Sports and Recreation (Karate, Dance, Football, etc.)
Readers for summer program
•
Spend an hour helping one of our students improve their
reading skills by reading with them and having them read
to you!
Other Opportunities:
•
•
•
Special Events (as needed)
Maintenance/“Handy Man”
Have another idea? Give us a call and let’s talk about it!
Volunteer Orientation
Anyone interested in volunteering at this summer camp must
attend a volunteer orientation and submit a completed
volunteer application and background check. Volunteer
orientation meetings will be held on the following dates:
Thursday May 17th @ 6pm
Wednesday May 30th @ 6pm
Meetings will be held at Good Samaritan Community ServicesRGV located at:
201 West Caffery
Pharr, TX 78577
www.goodsamrgv.com
For more information please contact Javier Gonzalez,
Development Coordinator at
Office: 956-781-3560, Cell: 956-784-0682 or
[email protected]
•
Clubs, student organizations, and church groups
wishing to volunteer must submit a group
application/profile, and must schedule a volunteer
orientation.
Spring 2012 Newsletter
Jill Oettinger
Chief Executive Officer
RGV BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
The Hon. Dori Contreras Garza
Chairman
Mr. F. Heath Smith, IV
Vice Chairman
MEMBERS:
Rachel Arcaute
John Della Maggiora
Adan Farias
Pat B. Fletcher
Cristina Guerra
The Hon. Juan Hinojosa
Matthew Jones
Visit Good Samaritan Community Service RGV
on the web
www.goodsamrgv.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/goodsamaritanrgv
The Rev. Melanie Monroe
Letty Nering
Imelda Palacios
The Rev. Scott Penrod
Lydia Hernández Savedra
Rocio Tanus
Edward Villareal
John Eldred Cozad
The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge
The Rt. Rev. David Reed
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JAVIER GONZALEZ
PHARR DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
210 W. Caffery St. • Pharr, Texas 78577
(956) 781-3560 • (956) 784-0682 Cell
[email protected]