Dedicated to the late Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Freeman, P.A.

12960 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410 • Phone: (361) 241-6566 • Fax: (361) 241-5279 • Email: jcardenas@ark4kids.com
Volume 22, Issue 1, December 2024                                                           Visit our website at www.ark4kids.com

Giving enables Christmas magic

Dear friends and donors: I want to tell those of you who’ve already been helping the shelter how much we appreciate your support. That was particularly the case in 2024 because it wasn’t easy, financially speaking. The Ark Gala and the Coastal Bend Day of Giving were very successful. Words are inadequate to convey our gratitude for your generosity. If this is the first time you’re hearing about us or were unable to assist previously, I hope you are able to help us this year. I believe the more you know about our children, the more interest you’ll have in helping us in any way possible. Once again Christmas is around the corner. Even though time flies and it’s a busy season, I enjoy the opportunity to communicate with you and let you know about some of the feelings our children have at The Ark during the holiday season. No one is supposed to be abused in any way, but the worst case is seeing an infant with a broken arm, leg or pelvis. It breaks your heart.

At the same time, I thank the Lord for the chance to temporarily offer them a safe home — a place where you can go to sleep with no fears, eat appro-priately, have clean clothes and enjoy playing. 

It’s amazing seeing their faces during the Christmas season. Children come from different environments. Maybe some of them haven’t received a Christmas present like other children do. Not all of them may have seen Christmas decorations like the shelter’s Nativity scene with running water and more than 100 different figures in various sizes. 

They enjoy their holiday meals, and I imagine they’re very impressed by visitors singing them Christmas carols. They’re excited to see Santa Claus in person and his boots hanging from the chimney. They exhibit lots of emotions opening gifts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

I say all this so you can be sure that when you help our children, you’re assisting us to make a difference in their lives, especially at Christmas. 

You and your family will be remembered in our prayers during the Eucharist on Christmas Eve. I wish you a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

The generosity of everyone who contributed to the gala’s success is deeply appreciated, especially the following sponsors:

Dove: H-E-B, CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery and Valero Corpus Christi Refineries.

Giraffe: American Steel & Supply Inc., Jack R. and Kathleen D. Baker, Rosie Butler, Diocese of Corpus Christi, Gignac Architects, Michael E. Rektorik, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Tahoe Trucking LLC, and Valdez & Bristol Industrial Insulation Services Inc.

Leopard: St. Patrick Church, Children’s Physician Services of South Texas, Manuela Shull, Los Amigos, Allison Flooring America, Camacho Waste Services, Carr Riggs & Ingram LLC, The Castor Collection Inc. dba Susan Castor Collection, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court #2399, Chick-fil-A Calallen, The Law Office of Fontaine M. Gonzalez, G – P Transport Inc. (Gregory-Portland), HII – Mission Technologies, Humpal Physical Therapy, IBC Bank, IBC Insurance Agency Ltd., Elsa C. Jackson, Adriana Lamont (New York Life Insurance Company), Noe Lira M.D. and Thelma Lopez-Lira M.D. P.A., Roland Moraida and Friends, Most Precious Blood Church Knights of Columbus Council 11238, Pepsi- Cola Corpus Christi, Johnny and Christi Perales, Sam’s Club #8267, Silent Angels, Tropical Pools & Spas, Walmart #791 – Alice, Walmart #458 – Aransas Pass, Walmart #463 – Beeville, Walmart #464 – Calallen, Walmart #490 – Flour Bluff, Walmart #5460 – Portland, Walmart #440 – Rockport, Walmart #5898 – Saratoga, Walmart #1494 – Staples, Weichert Realtors The Place of Houses and Whataburger.

The Ark’s residents
arrive after midnight

Placement calls come in from across state

Admitting children to The Ark Assessment Center and Emergency Shelter for Youth requires that someone be ready to receive them around the clock. According to Delma Trejo, the shelter’s executive director/administrator, it’s not unusual for placement calls to occur in the middle of the night. “The majority of them are after midnight,” said Trejo, one of three panelists at The Ark Gala held Sept. 19 at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds. “There’s nights I don’t even sleep,” she told the event’s 455 attendees. Placement calls are made to the shelter from all over Texas. A lot of paperwork is associated with admitting a child. The minors arrive empty-handed. She said the facility is blessed to have volunteers who had worked since last year to provide hundreds of silent auction item baskets for the gala. Another panelist, Rene Esquivel, board chairman, also had compliments. “The Ark staff does everything in their power to make these children happy,” he said. “Thousands of children have been helped. The Ark has been blessed with outstanding board members. They give of their time, their treasure and their talent.”

Esquivel recognized former board members.  

The third panelist, Dr. Raquel Vargas-Whale, does assess-ments for the shelter.  “They do important work,” she said. “I love taking care of children who don’t have others to support them. I’m always glad to see when people are placed at The Ark.” 

The Ark Gala 2024 commemorated the 30th anniversary of the press conference held Nov. 3, 1994 at the Marriott Bayfront Hotel to publicly announce plans to create the shelter. 

Manuela Shull’s piano students played background music as the attendees were escorted to their seats by the First-Class Petty Officers Association members. 

KIII-TV News Anchor Rudy Treviño served as the master of ceremonies. The program started with the presentation of colors by the Naval Health Clinic Color Guard. 

Mayor Paulette M. Guajardo read a proclamation issued by the City of Corpus Christi. 

The invocation was given by the Very Rev. Richard Libby, Diocese of Corpus Christi chancellor and pastor of St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus Par-ish. 

A video about The Ark made by Jay Sanchez, a former board member, was shown during dinner. 

Bob Montez was the auctioneer and oversaw the liquor basket raffle. The Hi-Fairnessee Girls Club assisted with selling the tickets.

The live auction items and their generous donors were: International creations – Sister Milagros Tormo sewed design on tablecloth with napkins and pot holders, includes bench, place settings, seashell flower bouquet in shadow box, women’s large silk shawl and knitted gray men’s scarf; Hurricane entry door – White impact full lite right-hand outswing door, donor Window World; stay at Club Wyndham Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach, S.C. or Club Wyndham Skyline Tower, Atlantic City, N.J., donor Michael and Jennifer Brady; “Lessons from Mama” Quilt fiber art created by “Sew Gulls” quilting group; Dallas Cowboys Package with tailgating canopy, frame, inflatable mascot with lighting, folding chairs, ice chest, ice chest container, table, benches, curved tumbler set, Miller Lite Dallas Cowboys Edition 24-pack and snacks, donor The Ritz Family; Mustang Island condo stay, donor Kim Erwin.

The gala’s net profit was $119, 258.12.

Karla Munoz of the 65th Annual Feria de las Flores Royal Court performed ballet folklorico dances.