Members of REVJLO, a local non-profit organization, helped distribute toys to children at the Bent Tree subdivision on Christmas Day. REVJLO was founded by Juan Longoria, a San Benito High School graduate. (Courtesy photos)
By STACEY LEE GONZALEZ
Special to the NEWS
‘Tis the season for giving and individuals ramping up cause-related campaigns this holiday season to support their favorite charitable organizations. Local non-profit organization REVJLO is not the exception.
Just ask the children of Bent Tree subdivision in San Benito, who, thanks to REVJLO, were treated to a little something extra to unwrap this Christmas.
Specifically, REVJLO members organized a toy drive and distributed the items collected to said children on Christmas Day. According to REVJLO president and founder, Juan Longoria, the items donated were collected as a result of soliciting the business community, from which monetary and direct toy contributions were made.
“We believe that humanity can and will take over when people share common goals,” Longoria said.
Longoria, a San Benito High School graduate, founded REVJLO, under a 501c3 status, on February 1 of this year. The organization’s mission is to assist various causes and programs throughout the Valley.
“We accomplish our goals by partnering with a diverse group of people that can set a great example for others by working together,” Longoria wrote on the REVJLO Facebook page. “By helping others take the time to appreciate diversity, we hope to create an environment where petty differences are overcome.”
Longoria could not be more pleased with the progress and impact of the organization thus far.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do in a short amount of time,” Longoria said. “We didn’t start with any type of sponsorship or funding from external sources, so we’ve built our organization from the ground up. In the few short months that we have actually been operational, we have been able to provide support to several animal shelters in Cameron County. We’ve also been able to foster a volunteer effort which has contributed time to several charities across the Valley.”
He further remarked, “We’re pretty proud of our Facebook (www.facebook.com/revjlo) following which has recently seen a few new additions per day. The most important thing we’ve been able to do is establish ourselves as a legitimate non-profit organization and earn the trust of the area.”
Ranging from animal shelter supply donations to their recent toy donation to the children of Bent Tree subdivision, REVJLO has already made a name for themselves in the service community.
“After every event, the ‘thank you’ and the smiles or tears we see are all the motivation we need,” Longoria said. “We all have full-time jobs, but feel that the more we do to help the more people will want to be a part of it. Our real goal is to create a core group of volunteers that will support each other in their causes going forward. If one person turned the REVJLO idea into six people, and those six people turned it into 50 people in a few months, where might we be in a few years?”
Aside from their selfless service to others and innovative project ideas, this organization’s motivation to help others is far from downsizing the relentless volunteer efforts they’ve provided for various members of the community. Through meaningful partnerships with numerous businesses and other organizations, it can be argued that REVJLO has made a profound impact on the community.
“We started REVJLO knowing that we would need the support of existing organizations to get started,” Longoria commented. “Helping Hands of South Texas has been especially helpful in providing volunteers for our efforts, and we’re currently working on mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations like the San Benito Boys and Girls Club, the Harlingen Outreach Center, and Friends of Animal Rescue in South Padre Island.”
It was through these same exact partnerships that REVJLO’’s recent toy drive for the children of Bent Tree subdivision was a success. REVJLO also credits Dr. Jose Lares, Ol’ D’s Soda Shop, Ramirez Home Commercial Repair, and Medusa Lounge for support in planning this endeavor.
“With only 10 days before Christmas, we organized a toy drive with Medusa Lounge and started asking for donations on our Facebook page and website,” Longoria said. “Once we received the donated toys and bought the rest with the cash donations, we needed a place where our whole team could wrap the gifts. The outcome was a huge success. We could never have imagined that with only 10 days to complete, we’d have as many toys and volunteers join us on Christmas Day.”
“The neighborhood was very grateful and appreciative throughout the entire time we were there,” Longoria continued. “It was a great thing to see parents and kids smiling and enjoying a day that means so much to so many.”
Read this story in the Dec. 30 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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