Elks and Winter Texans provide Christmas party for special need kids
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- Published: Tuesday, 23 December 2025 20:24
By Barb Zanetti-Taetsch, Photos by Dennis Zanetti
At McAllen’s Elks Lodge 1402 a young girl stands before Santa with her hands on her hips and says, “Santa, do you have a naughty list?”
Santa, Wally Ostrowski, a Winter Texan from Alamo Rec Vehicle Park (ARVP), takes a second to answer her.
“Yes, I do,” he says. “But today, no one here is on it.”
“You HAVE to put my brother on that list,” she says, insisting that he take action and shaking her head, totally ignoring Santa’s absolution. “He steals my French fries … even when I’m watching!”
Read more: Elks and Winter Texans provide Christmas party for special need kids
Mission Bell/Trade Winds hosted their third annual Reverse Advent Calendar food drive. This was started in 2023 by a couple of park residents. DaLeen Markel found an article about a group of people that did this, and she shared it with Rick Anderson, and a decision was made to give it a go. And it has turned into a highly successful event that the sister parks do together.
By Herb Moering
The Golf View Estates ladies who love to sew continue to make baby blankets for Mission Regional Medical Center. This season, the group of ladies also started making stuffed bears, dogs and other knitted items. The ladies have made and donated baby blankets and stuffed animals for newborn babies at hospital. This year, the group donated 360 blankets and 45 stuffed animals. 
On the evening of December 13, parking lots were full, and crowds lined both sides of Texas Blvd. to attend the Weslaco Lighted Christmas Parade. There were those that opted for the reserved seating, and plenty more that found opportune spots to sit or stand with friends and family. With a seemingly endless line of festive floats and vehicles, Weslaco had an atmosphere of Christmas cheer.
A perfect addition to music and crafts will be snacks. They’ll be having a selection from local vendors to choose from, offering sweet and savory foods for all the family.
Tropic Star RV Resort raised over $3,000 to help provide clothes and toys for 38 children in the Pharr community. The activity was coordinated by Lorna and Danny Pence. The Pharr Police Department gathered, vetted and then shared the names of families in need. They assisted in obtaining a discount from the Burlington Store on S. Jackson St. in Pharr to help their money go even further. On Wednesday, December 10, 24 shoppers descended on Burlington and quickly gathered items. They then handed them off to 32 residents who wrapped them and then boxed the items for each family. The Pharr Police came and picked up the boxes and beginning, on December 12th, will be delivering the gifts to the families for the next 12 days.
The McAllen Wind Ensemble warmly invites the Rio Grande Valley community to embrace the magic of the holidays at Christmas Across America, a joyful and spirited musical celebration on Friday, December 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.
On Tuesday December 9th, Tropic Star RV Resort in Pharr hosted their annual Teddy Bear Luncheon. Coordinated by Carol Peets, 103 ladies gifted 209 stuffed animals that were picked up by six Pharr Police Officers. 
