PHOTO COURTESY BEVERLEY GONZALES
UTRGV is helping bring holiday support to families across the Rio Grande Valley through its third annual participation in the Angel Tree initiative. According to a university official, this year the university adopted 75 angels, providing gifts for children whose families may not have the means to celebrate Christmas.
Adopting an Angel, which is in collaboration with Cameron and Hidalgo counties, is part of The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, which serves families facing financial hardship. Parents apply, submit documentation and provide children’s needs and wishlists. Community partners, such as UTRGV, purchase items based on those tags, according to Beverley Gonzales, UTRGV Nonprofit Resource Center program coordinator.
Gonzales said the collaboration began three years ago through a casual conversation with The Salvation Army.
“We knew that they were doing it, like, in Walmart and other large department stores,” she said. “And so, I asked if it would be possible for us to do this at the university, and they were very enthusiastic and said yes.”
The program coordinator added the first year included only her division, Governmental & Community Relations, but “now the whole campus community is involved.”
Gonzales said UTRGV grew from 25 children the first year, to 50 the next, and now 75 with departments across Brownsville, Edinburg, Weslaco and Harlingen participating.
She said the program is important for families during the holiday season.
“It’s … helping families being able to bless their children at Christmas and bring a little joy to their home,” Gonzales said.
Major Jan Zuniga, commanding officer for The Salvation Army of McAllen–Hidalgo County, said the Angel Tree Program supports parents who often struggle meeting basic needs but hope to give their children holiday gifts.
“We hope that, for those who are struggling with choosing whether to have toys for their children, or pay rent, or have food or keep the lights on in their house, that they wouldn’t find themselves going into more debt or having to choose that basic need because of Christmas,” Zuniga said.
She said many requests include essential items–clothing, bedding, shoes, backpacks and baby-gear items–which parents cannot always afford. Zuniga said UTRGV’s involvement has significantly increased volunteer support.
“[The engagement] has been picked up by UTRGV students, which has never happened before,” she said. “That manpower makes us more accessible to be available to help families.”
Estrella Cab Morales, a business analytics sophomore, said she volunteered for gift sorting and distribution after learning about the collaboration.
“I think it’s basically … trying to give back to the community,” Cab Morales said.
She added students who cannot donate money can still help because “they need more hands.” Cab Morales has volunteered twice and has seen parents arrive to pick up gifts.
“Knowing that these people are … very happy … to receive those gifts … that’s very meaningful,” she said.
Cab Morales encouraged other UTRGV students to participate.
“Even if you can go like only … for an hour or … for 20 minutes … you helping marks a difference with other people,” she said.
Gonzales encouraged students, staff and faculty to get involved by requesting a tag or volunteering to sort gifts, adding that collective generosity helps “turn those wishes into reality.”
“[It] is more than just a holiday tradition—it’s an opportunity for us to come together as a campus community and make a real difference in the lives of local children and families,” she said.
All angels have been adopted for this year, Gonzales added. Volunteer positions for students are also available through Engagement Zone.
For additional information, email partnerships@utrgv.edu or call The Salvation Army at 682-1468.
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