21 WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • Lower Back Pain • Foot/Heel Pain • Muscle Weakness • Dizziness, Vertigo Are You Experiencing: We Have A Genuine Commitment To Your Health Dr. Frank Garza CEO, PT, DPT Dr. Amy Garza COO, PT, DPT, MTC, NPCP LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE! 5413 N. 23RD ST. McAllen, TX 78504 SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! (956) 994-8880 Dr. Laura Saenz, PT, DPT Ruben Alvarado, PTA Joseph Ruiz, PTA Jaqueline Ramirez, PTA • Total Hip Replacement • Total Knee Replacement • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • Pain Management • Shoulder Pain • Neck Pain • Post Surgical Procedures • Chronic Pains • Balance and Fall Prevention • Traumatic Brain Injury 1810 E. 8TH ST. Weslaco, TX 78596 FINANCING AVAILABLE SENIOR DISCOUNT Mobile Home Roofover Systems Since 1983 Steel Mobile Home Roofing Leaks? High energy bill? Roof rumble? 800-633-8969 roofover.com dents. There is a selection process, said Bill. Without a lady named Gloria Martinez, none of this would be possible, he added. “If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t have people to serve.” Martinez helps select the families that receive the home. She does a lot of the legwork in Mexico. A family must own the property where the home will be built, have no intention on renting the home out, and have a job – Afterall, they do have to pay taxes and the upkeep after it’s built. Martinez’s husband has the cement poured for the group before they arrive to build. “These people are so appreciative of what we do,” said Bill adding that they don’t know how poor they really are compared to us. They are very happy people. When the work is done, they usually feed us, he said. They have built homes for a family where two members washed cars for a living. They built a house where as many as six family members were going to live. At most, the group has about 25 builders, but he never knows how many will show up on the day of the build. There are 15 to 18 regulars, and more during peak of season. Mabel’s Builders own a 2004 Ford Truck, ladders, a generator, and assorted tools. All materials are paid for by donations and fundraisers. When the mission started, the houses cost about $750. Today, those same houses cost $2,000. Almost from the beginning, one family has bought/donated one house every year. Churches and organizations in places like Wisconsin and Michigan help support the mission by holding fundraisers and collecting donations. When Winter Texans come back to the park each year, they usually bring something back for the mission. They’re all volunteers, said Bill. We don’t have to beg people to help – everyone wants to chip in. And when members of the group age out of being able to help out, there is always someone in the wings to take over, he added. The park recently had an auction where there were several parts. The silent auction alone brought in about $1,800. People bring stuff to donate to be auctioned off, he said. During their live auction they had 18 eggs go for a couple hundred dollars. The biggest thing that went was a peach pie for $800. One resident said it was also as a tribute for the lady that made the pie that won’t be able to return next year. Bill said it is unreal what people will bid on items just to donate to such a great cause. There is also a little replica of the house they build. Each year the little house is ‘leased’ during the auction. This year, the little house was leased for $2,100. The bidder also gets their name put on a plaque that is hung up by the mission’s bulletin board where pictures, a sign up sheet, and other materials are posted. Included there is a hammer that started the initial project in 1992 and used by Delmar Oldenettel. To help assist in building a home, you must be a resident of Canyon Lake or contribute to the mission in some way. This coming Saturday, February 18th, Canyon Lake RV Resort will have a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to support Mabel’s Building Mission. The event will take place at 5 p.m. and include spaghetti, salad, and a dessert for $8. The park is located at 4770 N. Mayberry Road in Mission. Bill Kunzman. Photo by Carina Brunson
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