Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen and McAllen Public Works announced the launch of “McAllen SHINES,” a city-wide cleanup and environmental program dedicated to promoting cleanliness, respect and civic pride throughout the community. To inaugurate the initiative, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos and McAllen Public Works hosted an event where they shared their mission for the program.
Spearheaded by the recently developed McAllen SHINES team at McAllen Public Works, the City of McAllen aims to engage citizens, businesses and all city departments in collaborative efforts to keep McAllen a beautiful, vibrant and welcoming city.
During the event, Mayor Villalobos showcased the initiative’s early successes, noting organized cleanups at major events like MXLAN, home restoration projects for elderly residents and educational programs integrated into McAllen ISD schools.
Mayor Villalobos also talked about the spirit of McAllen and the power of unity. While this is a new program for the city, he shared that the idea came from McAllen residents’ spirit of unity and community, something he referenced during the annual State of the City event back in February.
“Unity relies on genuine connection and kindness,” said Mayor Villalobos. “It begins with each of us taking responsibility for our corner of the world. McAllen SHINES embodies this spirit and our shared commitment to living the values we hold in our hearts.”
Mayor Villalobos emphasized that regardless of age, everyone has the power to make a positive impact on the community and City of McAllen.
McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E., echoed the mayor’s sentiments, stressing the importance of community involvement.
“McAllen SHINES is more than a clean-up program; it’s an initiative designed to enhance the beauty, safety and the well-being of our beloved city,” Rodriguez stated. He also highlighted the tangible benefits of keeping the city clean, including improved health and safety, preserved public assets and enhanced public parks and recreation areas.
“When we all pitch in to keep our city clean, we make McAllen a place we can be proud of,” Rodriguez added.
Elvira Alonzo, McAllen Public Works Director underscored this by talking about the dedication of the McAllen Public Works team and the transformative impact McAllen SHINES will have on the city of McAllen.
“Our team at McAllen Public Works is dedicated to serving McAllen residents and making sure our city is a safe, clean and beautiful place to live,” Alonso said. “Since McAllen SHINES’ inception, we have organized numerous projects designed to create a culture of care and respect for our environment and for each other.”
Sarah Zepeda, McAllen SHINES program coordinator, closed out the event with a unique interactive segment where attendees were deputized by official McAllen SHINES “little deputies:” elementary students from McAllen Independent School District that have gone through the McAllen SHINES educational program.
“We can all be forces for good,” Zepeda said. “We all have the power to inspire people and make McAllen a better place to live.”
The City of McAllen extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been instrumental in bringing McAllen SHINES to life, including the McAllen Public Works department, McAllen I.S.D. schools, residents, and local standpipe artist, Cheryl Anderson.
“Thank you all for coming together to make McAllen Shine,” concluded Mayor Villalobos.
While the initiative is in its opening phase, the McAllen Shine team will continue to communicate ways for McAllen residents to become involved.
For more information about McAllen SHINES and how to get involved, please visit McAllen SHINES on Instagram @mcallenshines and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/McAllenShines/.
McAllen SHINES is a city-wide initiative developed and managed by McAllen Public Works that is focused on promoting cleanliness, respect and civic pride throughout our community. Its mission is to engage citizens, businesses and city departments in collaborative efforts to keep McAllen beautiful, vibrant and welcoming. Through various programs, events and partnerships, the program aims to foster a sense of responsibility and pride among all residents, encouraging everyone to do the right thing and contribute to the well-being of McAllen. Through McAllen SHINES, the City of McAllen is dedicated to making a positive impact on the city and inspiring others to keep McAllen shining bright.
