Texas Border Business
McALLEN, TX – IBC Bank and the National Professional Hispanic Organization (NHPO) – RGV Chapter, along with other organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, KURV, Texas Regional Bank, Socialife Magazine, STC Veteran Affairs, and the RGV Partnership, have teamed up to support the Operation Interdependence (OI) – RGV Campaign. OI – RGV is a community based project led by a committee that raises contributions to make and send care packages for our active US troops overseas. Between now and July, we are accepting donations of general care items and letters of support for our annual send-off to our soldiers.
The official Kick-off Event is Thursday, May 22, at 10:00 am hosted by IBC Bank at 1 S. Broadway in McAllen. The event is open to the public and attending this event will be many community, city and county officials as well as military veterans and their families. In addition, a series of fundraising mixers will also be held where supplies and/or monetary donations can be made to help make this campaign possible. Other participating restaurants are Fromage Bistro & Wine Lounge, Pepper’s at Uptown, Koko’s Café Uptown, Santa Fe Steakhouse and Remington’s Restaurant inside the Embassy Suites. Several businesses such as the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, IBC Bank, Texas Regional Bank, Gym at Uptown and Tierra Dulce will also serve as a “donation drop” for this campaign.
We ask for your continuous support to bring your change and/or supplies for our troops. Small travel size items such as toiletries (body lotion, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, chapstick, disposable razors, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, foot powder) and individually packaged/sealed food items (beef jerky, granola bars, gum, candy, cookies, nuts, seeds, trail mix, oatmeal-flat packs, snack crackers, fruit snacks, drink mixes) are the ideal items. And if you are a teacher, you can encourage your students to get involved by writing a letter of support to a soldier overseas. These letters will also be placed in each of the care packages. It’s a great way to teach our children and youth our appreciation for the military’s sacrifice and dedication to our country.
If you are unable to make any of the events, you can still make a donation online through Paypal to: nhpouppervalley@ymail.com. It is quick, simple and secure. You can also donate at any IBC Bank branch. Every penny goes directly to buying supplies for our brave soldiers. So let’s go out there and show them that their sacrifice does not go unnoticed. You can also get more information about Operation Interdependence at www.facebook.com/oirgv.
The last campaign in the RGV sent over 40,000 care packages to our troops. This year, we challenge our community once again to surpass this number. The valley has shown great leadership and community involvement every year. Help us bring a piece of “home” to these men and women serving our country.
Operation Interdependence Fundraising Mixers are scheduled from 6:00-9:00 pm at the following locations: May 22, Fromage Bistro & Wine Lounge; May 29, Pepper’s at Uptown; June 5, Santa Fe Steakhouse; June 12, Koko’s Café Uptown; June 19, Remington’s at Embassy Suites, and the Packing Party will be on Thursday, July 10 at a location to be determined.
About Operation Interdependence
Operation Interdependence is a nationwide 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a means for community members to support troops serving on the frontlines, military families and veterans.
