Text Size

Tropic Star provides for children in Pharr

wrapping party webTropic 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.

Read more: Tropic Star provides for children in Pharr

Teddy Bear Luncheon hosted at Tropic Star

Carol and the Police webOn 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. 

Over the past several years, the Teddy Bear Luncheon has donated thousands of stuffed animals for the Pharr Police and other Emergency Services to give out to children in need of comfort. The program is just one of the parks wonderful holiday traditions.

Read more: Teddy Bear Luncheon hosted at Tropic Star

Parks celebrate their Veterans

Veterans Wall webThis past week many parks celebrated the Veterans in their parks. Tropic Winds and Sunshine RV were just two of the many parks that held events to honor Veterans for their service and sacrifice.

The Veterans Day Celebration at Tropic Winds was held to honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of the veterans in the community. To start the ceremony, the Harlingen High School Color Guard presented the colors. Then each branch was called forward, and their respective armed forces medley was played as everyone sang along. As a token of appreciation, a coin was presented to each Veteran in attendance, as well as a complimentary meal following the ceremony. There were around 75 people in attendance, with around 26 Veterans honored. During the event, the spouses of the military members were also acknowledged.

Read more: Parks celebrate their Veterans

Enchanted Valley Ranch resident thanks his Turkey Angels

1000002763 webWe talk about this every year – how the food pantries kick up their game during the holidays. They put out their need to help their communities for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The food pantries try to give the families they support a traditional meal for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Martin Valley Ranch parks in Penitas are known to support the Penitas Food Pantry throughout the year, and especially during the holidays. In previous years, the community parks have not only helped keep the pantry stocked, but they also helped build their new building and help with stockings for the children for Christmas.

This year has been a little different because the need is so big. One of the gentlemen that helps at the pantry put a call out less than two weeks ago for help. Here is a little bit of Jeff Reardon’s original post on the Enchanted Valley Ranch Facebook Page:

Read more: Enchanted Valley Ranch resident thanks his Turkey Angels

Festival of Tables to be held February 4

20240206 Festival of Tables CAB 0054 webThe Rio Grande Valley Red Hat Queens Council presents the Festival of Tables on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The event gives Red Hatters, and other ladies, the opportunity to gather and have fun – and to eat dessert first. As always, the tables will be beautifully decorated by themes chosen by members of the RGV Red Hat Queens Council.

Doors will open for attendees at 10:45 a.m. The event will be held at the Fun N Sun Resort’s Banquet Hall at 1400 Zillock Rd., in San Benito.

Read more: Festival of Tables to be held February 4

Aladdin Villas supports local RMHC

Aladdin Pop Tabs Pic webThere’s never a wrong time to support a cause and this summer, residents at Aladdin Villas found a charity to connect with. Earlier this summer, Tom Hollan from Aladdin Villas wanted to give back to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), but he sought a local chapter. Previously, residents would collect pop tabs and make monetary donations but would return the donations to a chapter up north.

“I knew Ronald McDonald House Charities collected pop tabs, and when I took over the operations, I researched where they actually went, and I wanted to help local kids,” said Tom Hollan.

Read more: Aladdin Villas supports local RMHC

Seven Oaks Resort residents give back

20251029 Quilts of VAlor 06 webEvery year we enjoy sharing what parks and other Winter Texan residents do for the communities they reside in while visiting the Valley. Winter Texans collect food, make crafts, sew, quilt and more. By the end of the year many have donated dozens of blankets, books, meals, hats, and more to those in their parks and to the communities around them.

Read more: Seven Oaks Resort residents give back

Magic Valley PEO Retirement Group donates

20251029 Magic Valley Retirement Donations webMagic Valley P.E.O. Retirement Group met at the home of Julianne Carlson on Tuesday, March 25, for one of their last meetings of the season. The group brought items for donating to Aurora House Foundation in Weslaco. 

The group first learned about Aurora House Foundation, and their mission, two years ago during a presentation by a staff member. 

Read more: Magic Valley PEO Retirement Group donates

Thank you for coming, safe travels, see you next season

20250307 Winter Texan Fiesta WAB IMG 5624 webThis season is ending, and I hate to see it go. We always enjoy your time with us, and our time with you, and we sure are going to miss it while you are gone.

We know you are coming to the Valley for the community, the weather, lower prices, and more. We also know you are coming because of the culture and the warm welcomes you receive. But it is also your warmness that makes us love seeing you each year.

Speaking of that warmness, you do so much for the communities you live in – whether it is for your park, a special person in your park, or an organization in your city – you really do a lot while you are here. The work and care you put forth is so appreciated by all of those that receive your blessings.

Read more: Thank you for coming, safe travels, see you next season

Teddy Bears bring comfort to the sick, needy, and distraught

Loaves and Fishes webBonham’s Bears gave away 400 teddy bears to organizations that help children. Based at Green Bay South, the group gives bears to Valley organizations every year. Each year, they share their stories to show who they are and how their organization uses the bears they are gifted.
Here are their stories.

484th Juvenile District Court, Honorable Judge Adela Kowalski-Garza. Juveniles processed into the Texas justice system are stripped naked, observed during their shower, and given medications for life. But they are also offered second and even third chances. After successfully finishing a boot camp, they are given a teddy bear, and they might say “for a bad boy like me?”

Read more: Teddy Bears bring comfort to the sick, needy, and distraught

La Floresta RV Resort enjoys winter sports

20250303 175935 webLa Floresta RV Resort near Mercedes had a couple of fun events. On February 26th we had our final day of the Men's and Ladies Championship Tournament. Frank Hartin and Darla Strait were the winners. On March 8th we had our Shuffleboard tournament. Rickey Henderson and Jean Vanderville were the champs! Milt Krainbill and Hal Sunday were our runner ups. (Submitted by Darla Strait)20250308 141424 web

 

20250308 141509 web

Tropic Star honors first responders

Pharr First Reponders webTropic Star had a great season with a wide variety of entertainment with many different shows, happy hours and dances. The park has over 75 different activities each week for their guests to take part in.

Tropic Star RV Park recently held a special event to honor the first responders in their park and from the City of Pharr.

They have also been busy with other things in the park. Tropic Star won first place in the 2025 Golden Age Olympics sponsored by the McAllen Parks and Recreation. The park won 113 medals and had four Overall Valley winners.

Tropic Star First Responders webAs they say at Tropic Star, you can’t be bored if you live at Tropic Star.

Submitted by Barb Thompson

  • Default
  • Title
  • Date
  • Random
load more hold SHIFT key to load all load all

Login