Media Room

SENIOR DAY AT THE CAPITOL

AMIGOS DEL VALLE, (ADV) CELEBRATED THEIR 32 ND ANNUAL VOLUNTEER BANQUET 2007-08. FIVE HUNDRED PLUS VOLUNTEER WERE HONORED AND RECOGNIZED ON MAY 31, 2007. HONORARY GUEST AND 1 ST ANNUAL “MR. AMIGOS” AWARD RECIPIENT:

SENATOR EDDIE LUCIO JR.

IN APPRECIATION FOR HIS CONTINUED COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT TO AMIGOS DEL VALLE’S MISSION TO PROVIDE NUTRITION, HOUSING, AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE SENIORS OF SOUTH TEXAS AND FOR REMAINING A STANDING LOYAL ADVOCATE OF AMIGOS DEL VALLE AND THE SENIORS WHICH IT SERVES

From left to right; Edcouch-Elsa Jr. ROTC Cadet, Mrs. Minnie Martinez ( County of Cameron ADV Exe. Board Treasurer), Mrs. Sylvia Handy ( Hidalgo County Commissioner Pct # 1), Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., ( Texas State Senate, Austin TX), Mrs. Carla M. Rodriguez (Grant Administration Director-City of McAllen & ADV Exe. Board President), Mr. Jose E. Garza (Amigos Del Valle Executive Director), E-E ROTC Cadet, and on second row; E-E ROTC Cadet, Mr. Emilio Vera Jr., (Willacy County Commissioner Pct # 3 ADV Exe. Board Vice-President), E-E ROTC Cadet

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 7, 2007

Contact: Doris Sanchez
Press Secretary, 512-463-0385

Senator Lucio Receives First Mr. Amigo Award

AUSTIN, TX —Amigos Del Valle, Inc., a group dedicated to helping seniors and low-income families through volunteerism, honored Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. recently with its first ever Mr. Amigo award for 2007-08.

The organization honored him for his commitment to the organization on May 31, 2007, during their thirty-second annual volunteer banquet. As an advocate for seniors, Sen. Lucio presented a Senate Resolution on Feb. 13, 2007, during the 80th Legislative Session honoring the “Senior Day Festivities” at the Capitol. Amigos Del Valle, Inc. is the largest non-profit organization in the Rio Grande Valley providing diversified and effective human services, community development, as well as activities and advocacy for seniors and low-income families.

“I am deeply honored that this fine organization that positively impacts the lives of so many of our residents here in the Valley chose me to be the recipient of such a distinguished award,” said Sen. Lucio. “I am impressed with their programs that help seniors remain independent with the services they provide to help them maintain their health.”

The group’s 500-plus volunteers contribute approximately 80,000 annual hours of volunteer work that includes assistance with meal preparation or home meal delivery, affordable housing, fundraising and administrative support. In addition, the program offers home ownership counseling, down payment/closing cost assistance, low cost mortgage loans, and home construction help for low- to moderate-income families.

“Their goal to help seniors live their lives with dignity and to assist families through housing programs is one that I wholeheartedly support and will continue to do so,” added the Senator.

Valley Residents Recognized During Senior Day at the Capitol

AUSTIN, TX—Representatives from Amigos Del Valle, Incorporated, yesterday were honored with a Resolution in the Senate Chamber by Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. for their work to improve the lives of seniors citizens in the Rio Grande Valley.

Amigos Del Valle is a consortium of county and city governmental entities that provide nutrition, transportation and housing services to the senior citizens of Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties.

“This agency assists and encourages senior citizens to live healthy, productive and self-sufficient lives,” said Sen. Lucio. “Their work is to be commended and supported.”

Amigos Del Valle began offering services to seniors in 1975 with a budget of $375,000, and by 2005 the agency’s budget had increased to approximately $7 million. Thousands of senior citizens have used these services to maintain their health and to live their lives with dignity.

The agency consists of an established network of employees and more than 500 volunteers, providing assistance through 32 senior centers, nine senior multifamily rental housing projects and a central kitchen facility.

Organizations such as the National Council of La Raza, the Southwest Society on Aging and Hispanic Business Magazine have honored Amigos Del Valle for its outstanding services.

Amigos Del Valle, Inc. Executive Board Officers 2006-2007

Shown from left to right Willacy County Commissioner Emilio Vera/Vice-President, Cameron County Representative Minnie Martinez/Treasurer, Jose E. Garza/Executive Director, City of McAllen Representative Carla M. Rodriguez/President, City of San Benito Representative Victor Trevino/Secretary, (not pictured) City of Mercedes Mayor Joel Quintanilla/Immediate Past President