Members Donate, Deliver Holiday Feasts
It starts right after the last one. It builds momentum in the last few days, and crescendos to full participation just in time. While we can say that about a lot of things at the EPAB what I’m talking about now is our turkey and fixin’s drive. Our annual season of giving starts with a traditional turkey drive for our fellow Texans who need a little hand up during these tough times. Our members are asked to share their thanks by donating a basket of food, traditional Thanksgiving food. Turkeys, dressing, mashed potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce, bread, pies, and local flavors like rice and pinto beans. This year our members were extra generous with eighty-nine baskets. The food stuff is taken by convoy from Builders Source Appliance Gallery, where they store the frozen turkeys for us, to the EPAB office where the baskets of all the other stuff crammed our offices and refrigerators. On Monday, November 25 the convoy headed to Texas A&M research Center for delivery and ultimate distribution.
“Our efforts will feed families in El Paso, Tornillo, Fabens, and even Fort Hancock,” Angelique Adauto Roman, Associates Vice President told the Outlook.
“Our members really came through,” said Jaime Gonzalez, President. Anthony and Ericka Murillo helped load the baskets. “As a Board member I am happy to see the response from our members, and to see so many baskets,” Anthony said.
Past President Kelly Sorenson even brought us twenty turkeys all the way from Truth or Consequences. “I knew I was getting close to the deadline, and I was up there so I made a deal and transported them to El Paso in my nearly frozen VW bug.”
Once again, we’d like to thank all who donated or came to help deliver. Special thanks to Edmundo Dena, Edgar Garcia, Jaime’s kids, and Margaret. It is a gift to so many. And yet WE are the ones Blessed.
TAB Update
TAB members gather to plan 2025
The Texas Association of Builders held its latest Board and Installation meeting in Bastrop, Texas November 1-21. Attending for El Paso was Past Texas Association President Randy Bowling, EPAB Board member Jacob Barde, and Executive Officer Ray Adauto. The Texas Association of Builders met at Lost Pines Hyatt, deep in the woods of the Austin area. Meetings were held to bring members up to date on the latest election results and the significant changes expected in the Texas Legislature. It is anticipated that after some runoff elections still pending that the legislature will end up with over thirty-seven freshmen legislators, some voted in by special interests’ groups not aligned with TAB. In announcing the political changes TAB also introduced our new General Counsel and VP of Regulatory Affairs, Frances Blake. She was hired to replace Ned Munoz who left TAB after 18 years in that position. Frances will join JD Hale as the go-to staffers regarding lobbying, along with the Lobbying firm that works for TAB.
The 2025 TAB President was installed at the event, with Brett Martin of Houston taking the helm from Don Allen. Brett has been involved with TAB for most of his 23 years in building.
TAB reminded us that Rally Day is scheduled early, February 11, in Austin. This all day visit with the legislature is one of the most anticipated visits to the Capitol every two years. You can make reservations (until sold out) at the Texasbuilders.org website. The headquarters is the Omni Hotel on 8th street.
