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As originally published by Texas Border Business newsprint edition January 2018
Adrian Villarreal, who recently was named President and CEO of IBC Bank McAllen region, celebrated 2018 by giving back to the community.
What fabulous surprise for about 400 homeless and low-income families that have ties to the respite center in McAllen.
Villarreal, who is debuting this year as president and CEO of IBC McAllen, said that this is the way to start the year. “We are here today just to support our community especially during this holiday season.” He said, “Activities like this that benefit the community are part of our responsibility.”
Also, he said, “For all of us in the Valley, giving back and helping is part of our culture.”
Villarreal pointed out that he enjoys doing it and also, the IBC staff has an opportunity to participate in charitable activities.
Helping families and individuals in need is something special for them. “It is something special for us and its part of our Identity,” he said.
Villarreal enjoys seeing the faces of those helping to give, as well as those receiving.
IBC Bank coordinated this event with Sister Norma Pimentel; she is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV). She told Texas Border Business that Catholic Charities is committed to making the best effort in responding to the needs of people in this community.
“When we see institutions from a community like IBC and gives to strangers is priceless.” She continued, welcoming hundreds of homeless people and feeding them with dignity and respect touches my heart.”
She said that IBC Bank is stepping up and becoming a champion of our communities. “They make the difference; this is how we must come together and share the goodness of what God gives us and give back to those who need the most,” she said.
Sister Pimentel also said that the social mission of the Church is to help those in need, advanced through services carried out by all who participate with Catholic Charities.
She indicated that this comprehensive effort includes the staff of Catholic Charities who believe in what they do and dedicated to serving those in need, the volunteers, and sponsors like IBC Bank who give time and money to care for others.
Dora Brown, the executive VP of Marketing for IBC Bank and one person that understands the importance of giving and helping, said that they had food for 400 hundred people. “Hamburgers and hot dogs of the best quality served by Koko’s Mexican Restaurant,” she said.
She also said, “IBC does different things for the community every year. This year we will do projects that we haven’t done before.”
Villarreal said, “I just want to thank our employees, they do a lot of work. They do this on a volunteer basis, and without our employees, events like this will not be possible so, I want to thank them for giving back to the community.”
