By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
A recent donation to the Roswell Apartment from Del Rio’s Texas Community Bank will make residents feel a little more at home when they are placed in an apartment at the facility.
Sylvia Owens, executive vice president of Texas Community Bank, and Beverly Rosas, Texas Community Bank assistant vice president, earlier this month presented a check for $5,000 to Isidro Valdez Fernandez, executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Del Rio, and Henry Sotelo, Roswell Apartments property manager, at the historic property in downtown Del Rio.
Buddy and Marina Laing, owners of Laing’s Furniture in Del Rio, were also present for the donation.
Owens has long been a supporter of and an advocate for the Roswell’s residents, and the November donation is only the latest in a series of generous gestures for the facility and its residents.
“I think doing this is important because we’re able to make a difference in the lives of so many people that are in need. We’ve experienced it in the past, and we’ve seen the difference we’ve made and so we want to continue doing that,” Owens said.
Fernandez said the donation is a true example of how local businesses and organizations like the Housing Authority can come together and work for the benefit of low-income families and individuals in Del Rio.
“What they’ve done in the past and what they continue to do, it’s great for the residents here at the Roswell because this is their home. It’s not just an apartment; it’s their home. It’s where they live, and they will be able to get a benefit from this and enjoy a better living environment,” Valdez said.
Sotelo said the donation makes the most difference for previously homeless individuals who are able to obtain an apartment at the Roswell and often arrive with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.
“They come right from the streets, and we’re able to put them in an apartment and at least give them a bed or some furniture, and that’s a really great thing,” Sotelo said.
“Henry’s done an awesome job, because when he gets a resident who comes in here with nothing, and they get into their apartment and it’s completely empty, and we’re able to provide them with a new twin bed and a table and a chair, that means the world to them. Where someone might not know how appreciative they are of the small things, Henry takes photos, and they write us notes, telling us how much of a difference we’ve made in their lives, and that really touches all of our hearts,” Owens added.
Marina and Buddy Laing, too, said it was important for them to support the community of which they are part.
“And we remember the Roswell when it was in its heyday. My sister even got married here,” Marina Laing said.
“Our class, the Class of 1963, had our banquet here,” Buddy Laing said.
“We’ve been in business here in Del Rio since 1983, and we appreciate the Texas Community Bank and the Roswell Apartments and the Housing Authority for giving the local businesses a chance to help out. We like to help, and we’re glad that they’re doing this,” Marina Laing added.
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