Texas Border Business
LAREDO, TEXAS – The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust, administered by International Bank of Commerce (IBC Bank), donated a total of $700,000 to several Laredo organizations as part of its mission to do more for the communities it serves. IBC Bank Trust Committee representatives announced today the organizations receiving the gifts in Laredo:
- Boys & Girls Club of Laredo
- Casa de Misericordia
- Congregation of St. John
- Diocese of Laredo/San Agustin Cathedral
- Junior Achievement of Laredo
- Make A Wish
- Mercy Ministries of Laredo
- Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center
- Texas A&M International University
- University of Incarnate Word Medicine and Education Campus at Laredo
- Webb County Heritage Foundation
- Volunteers Serving the Need
Donations from the Matias De Llano Charitable Trust benefit each organization in their effort to support the economically disadvantaged residents of Laredo. This year’s grant recipients provide comprehensive programs that benefit the entire community of Laredo with much-needed help in medical and educational services for adults and children as well as investing to preserve the history of our region with added support for the San Agustin Cathedral remodeling. Earlier this year, the trust also announced a gift to support Texas A & M International University through their expansion of the Academic Innovation Center.
Matias De Llano, Jr., who established the trust, was born in Laredo in 1918. One of eight children, he attended Laredo schools and the New Mexico Military Academy, and was a veteran of World War II.
His father, Matias De Llano, Sr., was the founder of the Texas Hat Company, formerly one of the largest manufacturers of straw hats in the country, where De Llano, Jr. was employed for many years. De Llano, Jr. had a zest for life and for helping the disadvantaged. He contributed to many causes, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Sacred Heart Children’s Home, and other charitable organizations. Laredo’s Matias De Llano Elementary School was built and named in his honor.
De Llano, Jr. enjoyed many close friendships, including the friendship of his beloved nieces and nephews. He often said his favorite sport was being with his friends and enjoying life.
The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust was established April 1, 2003, under the Last Will and Testament of Matias De Llano, Jr. where he appointed IBC Bank as sole trustee. Since 2004, the Trust has donated more than $7 million to local organizations and schools.
De Llano, Jr. directed that the Trust continue his legacy by helping the community that he lived in and loved. He was especially focused on assisting children and the less fortunate.
The intention of the Trust is to maintain the corpus while distributing the annual income to charitable organizations in Laredo for many years to come.
