Texas Border Business
MCALLEN, TX (Nov. 29, 2016) — When Make-A-Wish grants the request of a child facing a life-threatening medical condition, the thought of being “paid back” isn’t a consideration. However, such was the nature of the unexpected phone call Ava Sandlin, executive director of Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Rio Grande Valley, recently received from PlainsCapital Bank. On Thursday, December 1, 2016, PlainsCapital Bank will present a $5,000 check to Sandlin and Make-A-Wish in honor of Brownsville seventh grader Valentina Villanueva, the 12-year-old daughter of PlainsCapital Bank’s Brownsville Market President Raul Villanueva. Valentina was among 95 kids in the Rio Grande Valley to have wishes granted by the organization last year.
The check presentation will be held at 3pm on Dec. 1 at PlainsCapital Bank’s Trenton branch, located at 7201 N. 10th Street. Valentina Villanueva will participate in the presentation and will be available for interviews, along with Make-A-Wish and PlainsCapital Bank executives.
The Rio Grande Valley chapter of Make-A-Wish serves a six-county area: Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, Willacy, Brooks, and Kenedy. The chapter’s charter prevents it from soliciting donations outside of the Valley, so local corporate contributions like the one from PlainsCapital Bank are vital.
“What a great way to kick off the holiday season,” said Sandlin. “PlainsCapital’s generous donation will allow us to reach more wish kids like Valentina, particularly in the lower Valley, and grant their one true heartfelt wish.”
According to Sandlin, Brownsville is the organization’s largest territory with one third of all wish requests coming from Cameron County.
Albert Chapa, PlainsCapital Bank’s McAllen market president, hopes the donation will generate added support for Make-A-Wish this holiday season and help shine a spotlight on the organization’s important role in the community.
“The wish experience can mark a turning point in a child’s battle against their illness,” said Chapa. “We saw that with Valentina. Her fight has been a very personal journey for Raul and his family. Because we are a close-knit group here at PlainsCapital, Raul’s family is an extension of our Bank family. When the opportunity presented itself to give back to the organization that has played such a powerful role in the life of our friend and colleague, we didn’t think twice.”
