By Nubia Reyna
Staff Writer
The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce will host the “Deck the Wheels: Toy and Food Drive” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday outside its building located on 1600 University Blvd. to help those who need it the most.
“The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce takes pride in supporting not just the business community, but the community as a whole,” Esmy Villarreal, Chief Executive Officer and President at the chamber said.
“We understand the importance becoming engaged and supportive of the needs of our community. During this pandemic we’ve grown in many ways as we have adopted to the new times, but the most important learning from these past eight months is how we, the City of Brownsville, have become resilient and have helped each other. Helping each other is the only way to survive the pandemic.”
During an interview, Villarreal said that during conversations with community partners, the chamber learned of other needs that perhaps they weren’t aware before the pandemic, or how it has increased, such as the shortage in food.
“We do know that there’s a shortage in regards to food, for many of our families that have unfortunately experienced furlogh or are no longer employed,” she said.
“There’s many things happening in the community and it’s important that we all help each other. We are partnering with the Brownsville Police Deparment. Because of the pandemic we understand that BPD will not host its annual toy drive as they usually do.”
The event, which is sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. will feature a car-decorating contest that will have a fee of $25. All proceeds and donations will stay local and go to families in need through Prospera Housing Community Services and the Brownsville Police Department.
” We are welcoming and inviting everyone to come and support this initiative and be able to give back to the community and give back to those who most need it,” Villarreal said.
” Our goal is to raise as many toys as we can and we typically raise hundreds in our annual holiday mixer but, this year we are hosting the toy drive and there will not be an in-person mixer. We ask and invite everyone to come and donate, it can be anything that they would like to donate. No children should be left without a toy and no family should be left without a Christmas dinner.”
