PHARR, Texas - The board of directors of the Pharr EDC Foundation believe they are in the workforce development arena.
The group raises funds for student scholarships. If the students secure a good education, the foundation, believes, it benefits the region.
“We raise scholarships for students who graduate from a Pharr school or live in the city of Pharr,” said Veronica Gonzales, a senior vice president for governmental and community relations at UT-Rio Grande Valley and a board member of Pharr EDC Foundation.
“They get a $2,000 scholarship so they can continue their education. It doesn't matter if they're going to go into trade school, a two-year school or a four-year college. Our goal is to make sure the students continue on and continue learning and continue to get educated.”
The Rio Grande Guardian interviewed Gonzales at one of the two big fundraising events Pharr EDC Foundations hosts every year - a golf tournament at Tierra Del Sol golf course in Pharr. The other big fundraising event is. Casino Night, Gonzales explained.
It was put to Gonzales that Pharr Economic Development Corporation could be leading the way in the Valley, in terms of giving back to the community.
Gonzales responded: “They started this several years ago and got the original funding for it from the city, which was really great, and they got that from the bridge monies. So, that's one of the great benefits that Pharr has, the international bridge. They get revenues they can use for purposes they feel are most productive.
“And in this case, it is a workforce development tool, because, if you think about it, getting these kids educated, and then back into the workforce is really important. So the the city bought into it, and then from there, the EDC Foundation took it over and continues to raise funds.”
Gonzales said the foundation lies to raise We raise, usually $50,000 to $70,000 from the golf tournament.
“It depends right on how many mulligans we sell, and the raffle tickets. And then, of course, the sponsorships, the big corporate sponsorships. We had a lot of sponsors this year.”
Pharr EDC President Victor Perez chairs the foundation. He said he is proud of the fundraising efforts of the foundation.
“We've given over $1.3 million in just a short period of time. We're a very young foundation, so basically, for us to have given that amount to over 500, 600, students, it's a great success for the foundation,” Perez said.
“This is only our fourth year and everything we raise goes back to our students. Our director for the foundation is covered through the EDC. So, there's no other expenditures. Everything goes out to our students.”
Pharr EDC President Victor Perez chairs the foundation. He said he is proud of the fundraising efforts of the foundation.
“We've given over $1.3 million in just a short period of time. We're a very young foundation, so basically, for us to have given that amount to over 500, 600, students, it's a great success for the foundation,” Perez said.
“This is only our fourth year and everything we raise goes back to our students. Our director for the foundation is covered through the EDC. So, there's no other expenditures. Everything goes out to our students.”
