Special to Texas Border Business
The Rio Grande Valley Community Foundation announced the creation of the “Chief Victor Rodriguez Inspiration Scholarship Fund”. Victor Rodriguez, Chief, McAllen Police Department, recently named the Man of the Year at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet, was approached by McAllen citizens Patty and Larry Fallek. Mr. and Mrs. Fallek informed him that they wanted to establish a scholarship fund in his name. This scholarship fund would benefit children of McAllen Police Officers.
Chief Rodriguez stated, “I am humbled that Mr. and Mrs. Fallek are making this wonderful overture in my name. The Fallek family is kind, generous, and civic minded. I am delighted and appreciative that we will be able to offer educational assistance to deserving children of our police officers. Our communities will reap the benefits of this goodwill for generations to come”
Working with the Rio Grande Valley Community Foundation and Chief Rodriguez, the Fallek’s originated the fund and provided an initial $10,000 donation to begin the fund’s operation.
Graduating high school seniors will be eligible apply for a $1,000 scholarship if they are the child of a current McAllen Police Officer, an honorably retired McAllen Police Officer or a McAllen Police Officer who was in good standing at the time of his or her death.
A scholarship applicant must be a graduating high school senior, exhibit financial need, provide their scholastic record, and show evidence of leadership, civic involvement, and integrity. Additionally, they must provide a recommendation from a teacher or advisor. An independent selection committee will choose winning applicants. Currently, funds are available to award one scholarship for the next 11 years. The Rio Grande Valley Community Foundation has already received additional donations to this fund, but more donations are needed to make the scholarship fund sustainable so that it continues far into the future. You can help by supporting this worthy effort to honor Chief Rodriguez and assist a child of a McAllen Police Officer in his or her effort to further their education.
Tax exempt donations to the “Chief Victor Rodriguez Inspiration Scholarship Fund” can be made directly to the Rio Grande Valley Community Foundation at their website www.rgvcommunityfoundation.com Also, donations may be mailed to the RGV Community Foundation, P. O. Box 790, McAllen, Texas 78505. Additionally, donations may be dropped off at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce or the McAllen Police Department. For more information, contact: Joe Brown, Director of Development RGV Community Foundation. Office: 956.682.2871 Cell: 956.778.3500 email: joe@rgvcommunityfoundation.com
