Hello June! Can you believe we are practically halfway through 2026? Now that school is out for the summer, most people get to relax a little bit more. Parents don’t have to get up as early to make breakfast and avoid the traffic. Students get to stay up later than usual, sleep until noon and eat everything in the refrigerator. Keep in mind the various summer food programs available in the community. You can dial 2-1-1 and find your nearest location.
Summertime also means family vacations to Disney World, Universal Studios, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or time at the beach or simply lounge around the pool. Whatever your summer plans are, make sure you keep an eye on the weather because June 1st also marks the beginning of hurricane season. This is not my favorite time of year.
I have a great amount of respect and admiration for those people that deal with disaster situations. I do think people realize all the planning, training and preparation that happens getting ready for a hurricane event.
When we served as the South Texas 2-1-1 call center, it meant updating the database
Hello June! Can you believe we are practically halfway through 2026? Now that school is out for the summer, most people get to relax a little bit more. Parents don’t have to get up as early to make breakfast and avoid the traffic. Students get to stay up later than usual, sleep until noon and eat everything in the refrigerator. Keep in mind the various summer food programs available in the community. You can dial 2-1-1 and find your nearest location.
Summertime also means family vacations to Disney World, Universal Studios, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or time at the beach or simply lounge around the pool. Whatever your summer plans are, make sure you keep an eye on the weather because June 1st also marks the beginning of hurricane season. This is not my favorite time of year.
I have a great amount of respect and admiration for those people that deal with disaster situations. I do think people realize all the planning, training and preparation that happens getting ready for a hurricane event.
When we served as the South Texas 2-1-1 call center, it meant updating the database with emergency contact information for all the surrounding counties, constantly watching weather updates, listening to National Weather service updates, tracking road closures for evacuations, gathering shelter information, being on call 24/7 in case of an emergency, and lots of training.
My respect and gratitude to all first responders and emergency personnel. You are my heroes. You train for all sorts of crisis situations. It is not easy to remain calm when everything around you is in chaos. Yet you do it so well. You put the lives of others as a priority but always remember safety first.
Another important aspect of disaster preparedness is our community resources. Our hospital and medical personnel need our help. As you know, the worst time to prepare for a disaster is when you are right in the middle of an emergency. It’s the same consideration for donating blood.
“Every blood donation has the power to save lives, but during the summer months, that impact becomes even more critical,” says Yvonne Wheeler, Blood Drive Development Director, South Texas Blood & Tissue. “We encourage our community to step forward, schedule a donation and take that simple, lifesaving action. One donation can help up to three people — offering hope, healing and a second chance at life when it’s needed most.”
Donating blood is a gift of life, because you can save someone’s life if they need blood. Many times, whether during needed surgery or because of a trauma related accident, doctors may have to order a blood transfusion to save the life of their patient. You just never know if you are going to need blood during surgery or medical procedure. To support those in need, the South Texas Blood & Tissue (STB&T) agency conducts hundreds of mobile blood drives every year.
with emergency contact information for all the surrounding counties, constantly watching weather updates, listening to National Weather service updates, tracking road closures for evacuations, gathering shelter information, being on call 24/7 in case of an emergency, and lots of training.
My respect and gratitude to all first responders and emergency personnel. You are my heroes. You train for all sorts of crisis situations. It is not easy to remain calm when everything around you is in chaos. Yet you do it so well. You put the lives of others as a priority but always remember safety first.
Another important aspect of disaster preparedness is our community resources. Our hospital and medical personnel need our help. As you know, the worst time to prepare for a disaster is when you are right in the middle of an emergency. It’s the same consideration for donating blood.
“Every blood donation has the power to save lives, but during the summer months, that impact becomes even more critical,” says Yvonne Wheeler, Blood Drive Development Director, South Texas Blood & Tissue. “We encourage our community to step forward, schedule a donation and take that simple, lifesaving action. One donation can help up to three people — offering hope, healing and a second chance at life when it’s needed most.”
We have a bunch of drives scheduled for June and July in our area. Albert Carmona, from the South Texas Blood & Tissue agency sent me several of the scheduled locations:
To learn more about making a blood donation, visit the STB&T website, SouthTexasBlood.org and look for tips “Before you donate, When you donate and After you donate.” You can also find national guidelines that are followed by all blood centers.
Your eligibility is determined by the medications you take, travel, health conditions and lifestyle. To donate blood or platelets, you must be:
Some medications can prevent you from donating temporarily or permanently. Their website provides a list of medications to determine if you are eligible to donate blood or platelets. You can also call their Donor Eligibility department at 210.731.5555 at extension 2243, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5pm.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to make a blood donation at any of the upcoming locations, visit SouthTexasBlood.org or call 210.731.5590. You might even consider hosting a blood drive at your location. Give them a call to coordinate.
Just one last friendly reminder, make sure your family is always prepared for an emergency. Have an “emergency to go bag” ready. You can find a list of essential items to include at the American Red Cross website redcross.org or at Ready.gov. Make sure to include your important documents, insurance, phone numbers and medications. You never know when you’re going to need it. Make sure your family also has a security plan. Where to meet or how to check with each other in case you are separated in an emergency evacuation or situation. Blessings.
SACRED HEART CHILDREN’S HOME: CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
The Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus invite the community to join them with their festivities for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Novena (Prayer) at 7:00 pm every night from Wednesday, June 3rd to Thursday, June 11th at the Children’s Home. The Consecration will be on Friday, June 12th at 7:30 pm at the Children’s Home. For more information 956.691.8746.
IMAGINARIUM OF SOUTH TEXAS: GALA NIGHT HONORING DR. RICARDO CIGARROA & HONORABLE ALYSSA CIGARROA
The Gala is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th from 6:30-10:30 pm at Paseo Real Receptions. For more information, please call 956.728.0404.
IMAGINARIUM OF SOUTH TEXAS: LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Join us for the AEP Free Family Night on Friday, June 12th from 6-9 pm at the Imaginarium located at the main campus of Laredo College (West End Washington Street) Building P-149. For more information, please call 956.728.0404.
AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (AHEC): EVERY CANCER, EVERY STORY
AHEC invites everyone to a virtual presentation by the UT Health Mays Cancer Center. It is a series of conversations regarding Brain Cancer Awareness. The session is scheduled for Thursday, June 18th from 11am to 12 noon on Zoom. For more information call 956.712.0037.
UNITED WAY OF LAREDO, INC.: MAIN EVENT SPIRIT NIGHT FOR UNITED WAY
Come join the fun and support a great cause on Thursday, June 18th from 5 – 8 pm at the Main Event in Mall del Norte. 20% of all sales will be donated to United Way of Laredo for all activities, video games, food, gift cards and non-alcoholic beverage purchase. Just remember to drop your itemized receipt in the “drop box at the bowl desk to be included”. For more information, call 956.723.9113.
LAREDO MAIN STREET: FARMERS MARKET
The next Farmer’s Market will be happening on Saturday, June 20th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo! Each month features a unique theme, seasonal activities and exciting workshops. Every visit is a new and memorable experience. Whether you’re shopping for fresh ingredients, supporting local artisans, or enjoying live entertainment, the Farmers Market is the place to be. For more information email: lmsevents01@gmail.com
If you have a upcoming community event or information on a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization you would like to share, please email at 956cuidandolaredo@gmail.com.
We have a bunch of drives scheduled for June and July in our area. Albert Carmona, from the South Texas Blood & Tissue agency sent me several of the scheduled locations:
To learn more about making a blood donation, visit the STB&T website, SouthTexasBlood.org and look for tips “Before you donate, When you donate and After you donate.” You can also find national guidelines that are followed by all blood centers.
Your eligibility is determined by the medications you take, travel, health conditions and lifestyle. To donate blood or platelets, you must be:
Some medications can prevent you from donating temporarily or permanently. Their website provides a list of medications to determine if you are eligible to donate blood or platelets. You can also call their Donor Eligibility department at 210.731.5555 at extension 2243, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5pm.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to make a blood donation at any of the upcoming locations, visit SouthTexasBlood.org or call 210.731.5590. You might even consider hosting a blood drive at your location. Give them a call to coordinate.
Just one last friendly reminder, make sure your family is always prepared for an emergency. Have an “emergency to go bag” ready. You can find a list of essential items to include at the American Red Cross website redcross.org or at Ready.gov. Make sure to include your important documents, insurance, phone numbers and medications. You never know when you’re going to need it. Make sure your family also has a security plan. Where to meet or how to check with each other in case you are separated in an emergency evacuation or situation. Blessings.
SACRED HEART CHILDREN’S HOME: CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
The Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus invite the community to join them with their festivities for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Novena (Prayer) at 7:00 pm every night from Wednesday, June 3rd to Thursday, June 11th at the Children’s Home. The Consecration will be on Friday, June 12th at 7:30 pm at the Children’s Home. For more information 956.691.8746.
IMAGINARIUM OF SOUTH TEXAS: GALA NIGHT HONORING DR. RICARDO CIGARROA & HONORABLE ALYSSA CIGARROA
The Gala is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th from 6:30-10:30 pm at Paseo Real Receptions. For more information, please call 956.728.0404.
IMAGINARIUM OF SOUTH TEXAS: LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Join us for the AEP Free Family Night on Friday, June 12th from 6-9 pm at the Imaginarium located at the main campus of Laredo College (West End Washington Street) Building P-149. For more information, please call 956.728.0404.
AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (AHEC): EVERY CANCER, EVERY STORY
AHEC invites everyone to a virtual presentation by the UT Health Mays Cancer Center. It is a series of conversations regarding Brain Cancer Awareness. The session is scheduled for Thursday, June 18th from 11am to 12 noon on Zoom. For more information call 956.712.0037.
UNITED WAY OF LAREDO, INC.: MAIN EVENT SPIRIT NIGHT FOR UNITED WAY
Come join the fun and support a great cause on Thursday, June 18th from 5 – 8 pm at the Main Event in Mall del Norte. 20% of all sales will be donated to United Way of Laredo for all activities, video games, food, gift cards and non-alcoholic beverage purchase. Just remember to drop your itemized receipt in the “drop box at the bowl desk to be included”. For more information, call 956.723.9113.
LAREDO MAIN STREET: FARMERS MARKET
The next Farmer’s Market will be happening on Saturday, June 20th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo! Each month features a unique theme, seasonal activities and exciting workshops. Every visit is a new and memorable experience. Whether you’re shopping for fresh ingredients, supporting local artisans, or enjoying live entertainment, the Farmers Market is the place to be. For more information email: lmsevents01@gmail.com
If you have a upcoming community event or information on a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization you would like to share, please email at 956cuidandolaredo@gmail.com.
Peggy M. Duncan, United Way of Laredo
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