KEEPING THE MEMORIES ALIVE

    When one loses a loved one, the first thought that often comes to mind is “What if.”  “What if we had gotten to the hospital sooner, what if we had gone for that exam when the doctor recommended it, or taken better care of our loved ones health.”  However, once our loved ones are gone, they will not return, but the memories can live on forever.  
    One way to keep those memories alive is to dedicate a living tree in their memory.  The Del Rio Hispanic Chamber has teamed up with the City of Del Rio in the Memorial Tree Planting Program.  
After the flood of 1998, many of our beautiful trees along the San Felipe Creek were washed away with the flood.      The Memorial Tree Program can accomplish two things, memorialize your loved one with a living tree and replenish those beautiful trees we lost in the flood.  
   Our first tree of the Memorial Tree Planting Program was planted by the International Good Neighbor Council (IGNC) and was dedicated to Chuck Dent who was a faithful and very active member of the IGNC and our community. 
   As your vice President, I have volunteered to Chair this program.  The program is very simple; when you, your business, or organization, decide to dedicate a tree to your loved one, all you have to do is contact me and I will handle everything for you.  The cost is very reasonable, a 6 to 8 foot Monterrey Oak tree will normally cost around $120.00; the next step is to make arrangements for the planting along the San Felipe Creek, with the Del Rio Parks and Recreation Department selecting the sight of the planting along the San Felipe Creek.  I will make all the arrangements for publicity and   purchase of the tree. 
   With the help of our members we can spread the word, keep the memories of our loved ones alive and beautify our San Felipe Creek and the environment.  All it takes is a phone call to   Dora Alcala’ at (830) 719-0324, and I will do the rest.