First Choice Power Honors Eight Mission-Area Residents with Our Smart Neighborhood Awards
MISSION, TEXAS – First Choice Power announced the recipients of its Our Smart Neighborhood awards. The awards honor Valley residents who give back to their community through leadership, charitable giving and involvement in important community issues and social responsibility. First Choice Power accepted nominations from local residents to celebrate these unsung heroes in their everyday lives. The winners were announced at the grand opening of First Choice Power’s Mission local office on May 20.
“At First Choice Power, we believe that the biggest champions in our community are these everyday people who make a difference in ways that might not always be visible,” said Terry Pruett, director of First Choice Power local offices. “We know these recipients along with all the nominees celebrate community spirit and are helping make the Valley a better place.”
1. Mario Reyna, dean of the Division of Business and Technology at South Texas College, volunteers his time as president of the South Texas Symphony Association and serves on the council for United Blood Services as well as serving on the board of two chambers of commerce.
2. Pepe Cabeza de Vaca is a volunteer with Palmer Drug Abuse Program, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association among others.
3. Karina Melendez has dedicated more than two years to the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen as a volunteer in the summer junior staff program. She currently fundraises for the Relay for Life program and does all this while being a high school student.
4. Dhia Al-Helfi is a faithful volunteer at the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley for nine years. From sorting, inspecting to dancing and singing, Dhia brings joy with him to the Food Bank. Due to an accident back in Tennessee, Dhia spent a year in a coma and now suffers brain damage but that hasn’t stopped him from diligently serving others.
5. Michael Alvarado has been a volunteer at the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley for more than a year. He faces the personal challenge of cerebral palsy and still makes time to volunteer day after day. From sorting and packing food boxes to filling and assisting in direct distributions, Michael has touched the lives of clients of the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley.
6. Laura Reagan-Porras has contributed to a variety of community programs such as Together Time which offers co-parenting classes to help build supportive families. She has a real passion for serving youth and families and has demonstrated innovative thinking by taking programs to the park to make them accessible.
7. Jesse de Leon is a leading fundraiser for a variety of programs that support soldiers, aspiring Hispanic professionals and disadvantaged families. Jesse was also a leading donor of household items for the show Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
8. Dora Brown is a volunteer at the Rio Grande Diabetes Association. She also is part of the group Operation Care Drop, donating to soldiers. She normally heads the volunteer groups that support these efforts. Dora is a dedicated member of the community in the Rio Grande Valley.
Each recipient was nominated by friends and family in the community via a form that was made available on First Choice Power’s website. Nominees were evaluated by the scope of their impact on the community, the way that they handled challenges they encountered, and the imagination and innovation used in their efforts to make a difference.
“First Choice Power has a long history of serving families in the Valley. Now that we are opening a storefront office in Mission we are able to deliver superior customer care in person, a service that is unique to First Choice Power,” said Andres Reyes, senior director of Hispanic marketing at First Choice Power. “We are opening our doors to the community and look forward to interacting with our neighbors, face-to-face. “
About First Choice Power
First Choice Power is an energy company committed to identifying what is most important to our customers and putting their needs first. Texas business and residential customers can depend on First Choice Power for competitive pricing and excellent customer service. First Choice Power is committed to giving back to the communities it serves through its Food First ™ hunger initiative, Reduce Your Use Grants™, recycling efforts and supporting employees’ community engagement. Learn more at www.FirstChoicePower.com. Keep up to date on the latest energy news and join the conversation by following us on Twitter @firstchoicepwr, Facebook facebook.com/FirstChoicePower or The Current blog, www.FirstChoicePower.com/blog.
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Catherine Carlton (817) 773-5733
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