Former Mayor García contributes $10,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Edinburg RGV, challenges area lawyers to also help raise money to serve city’s youths
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
Former Edinburg Mayor Richard García, on behalf of himself and his law firm, García, Quintanilla and Palacios, has donated $10,000 to an annual fundraiser drive designed to help young people served by the Edinburg Boys & Girls Club RGV.
In doing so, he issued a challenge to those in the legal community to match the gift, which was donated to the "It Just Takes One Campaign" now underway.
Garcia is the senior partner in the McAllen law firm, which has deep roots in Edinburg. He also currently serves as president of the board of directors for the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg City Council.
The campaign will raise funds for the Clubs’ after-school programs and services for youth, ages 6-18, living in Edinburg and surrounding communities. Scheduled to run through August 15, the campaign seeks donations primarily from individuals.
Funds raised will help sponsor kids to attend summer camp and provide quality after school programs such as the Power Hour homework help program, computer skills training, career exploration, arts and crafts, fitness and sports, and character and leadership programs such as SMART Moves (alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention program) and Youth of the Year (the Club’s premier recognition program).
García, a native son of Edinburg who, like thousands of area residents have worked hard to become American success stories, said he wants to help as many youngsters as he can to achieve their dreams, too.
"These young kids are really in need of getting these type of programs offered by the Boys and Girls Club, but without them, where would they go?" he asked. "We are very lucky that many of Edinburg’s youngsters have access to important programs for after school and summer activities, but there are so many children who don’t."
García said he and his law partners, including Edinburg Municipal Court Judge Toribio "Terry" Palacios and C.J. Quintanilla, have previously donated money to the Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg RGV.
"The community needs to see the importance of the Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg, to see that there are people contributing," García said. "Edinburg has been very good to me over the years, and I figure one of the best ways I can give back to my community is to help our children."
Serving as the campaign’s chair is Dr. Susan Griffith.
The campaign’s goal this year is to raise $60,000 for the Clubs’ annual operating budget. Griffith said.
“We are proud to announce that to date, our campaign has raised $18,000 as a result of Richard Garcia’s lead gift and gifts from 100 percent of our board members and staff," said Griffith. "All we need now is the rest of our community to show their support, and we will be able to reach, we hope to exceed, our goal.
“Our clubs are making a difference in the community,” added Griffith. “Last year, our local clubs served 19,892 youth, a 10 percent increase from the year before. But there are still many more children in our community that need the kind of positive influence and guidance the clubs provide, and we want to reach out to these youth and their families.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs’ mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need them the most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
“The cost of providing the Boys & Girls Club experience to one child for a year is about $300,” said Griffith. “You can see what a valuable investment that is when you compare it to the cost of incarcerating a youth who go in the wrong direction – usually $50,000 or more. The Clubs give a good return on investment.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV, founded in 1970, is a non-profit, privately-funded 501{c}{3} organization and depends on private donations and volunteers to accomplish its mission. The Clubs annually serve some 19,000 youth. To make a donation or to volunteer, contact Sabrina Walker-Hernández, Chief Professional Officer at 956.383.2582 (office) or visit the Web site at www.edinburgkids.com.
(Sabrine Walker-Hernández contributed to this article.)