Winter Ranch Residents Give Back to Community
By Linda Sauer, Winter Ranch resident
The Rio Grande Valley is well aware of the financial benefits that winter tourism brings each year, but are there other benefits that Winter Texans bring to the Valley? Aside from the warm weather and a multitude of activities, residents of Winter Ranch RV Resort in Alamo say one of the best benefits of life in the Rio Grande Valley is the symbiotic relationship they enjoy with their surrounding community and the opportunities to give back to the community . That is especially apparent during the holiday season when residents and community alike join to celebrate. Some Winter Ranch / community activities this season included:
– 20+ quilts/ blankets were donated to the local Veteran Peer Center from Winter Ranch quilters,knitters, crocheters and Sew For Fun groups.
-A group of Winter Ranch residents prepared and delivered Thanksgiving meals and gift cards to the Veterans Peer Center in Weslaco for veterans, spouses and children to enjoy.
-Over 120 stuffed animals were donated to the Alamo Fire Department to help calm children during traumatic events.
-150+ wrapped presents were donated and delivered to the children of Arise Adelante, a local organization that promotes the personal development and empowerment of the community, especially women, children and youth of the Rio Grande Valley, through educational programs that strengthen their organized community and civic participation.
-300 Christmas stockings stuffed with toys, stuffed animals, crocheted stocking caps, toiletries and art supplies were delivered to the children of Arise Adelante.
-Approximately 50 wrapped gifts were delivered to residents of Heights of Alamo Nursing Home during the Winter Ranch Holiday visit, where volunteers and residents sang Christmas carols, heard a Christmas message from Chaplain Paula Key and shared holiday camaraderie.
-130 colorful hand crocheted Mobius Fidget Balls were donated in early December to the Heights of Alamo residents. The edge of these balls can be endlessly pulled out from the center as a tool for focusing attention or calming restless nerves.
-Students from Gus Guerra Elementary School came to Winter Ranch with songs, cheers and dances for residents, and left with gifts from Santa & Mrs. Clause.
-The RazzMaTazz song and dance troup from Nikki Rowe High School delighted Winter Ranch residents with a fabulous Holiday musical, and left with a healthy monetary donation to add to their performance coffers.
-Winter Ranch residents decorated their golf carts and participated in the Alamo Christmas Parade.
The sharing by Winter Ranch residents does not stop after the holiday season though. Throughout the year, residents enjoy watching and participating in local parades, hosting the Alamo Police and Fire departments at the annual RC Car Racing event, making monthly visitations to Heights of Alamo Nursing Home, volunteering time at local hospitals, donating household items and food to Arise Adelante, as well as toiletry donations to the Veterans Peer Center and donating quilts to various organizations. These are just a few of the giving and sharing opportunities that Winter Ranch residents enjoy. Residents say that participating in these worthwhile activities help them feel a part of the community, and they love the interaction and camaraderie that develops. It’s a large part of why they choose to spend their time in the Rio Grande Valley.
