Church delivers Walk for Diabetes Education funds

HARLINGEN — Representatives of the San Benito Church of Christ visited Valley Baptist Medical Center Tuesday to deliver money they raised from their first Walk for Diabetes Education.

Saturday, about 90 people participated in the event at the Heavin Resaca Trails, said Tom Cosper, the church’s pastor.

“We’re very, very encouraged” by the support, he said.

On Monday evening, as church members made a final count of their earnings, they had $808 until a last minute donation was made. In total, the church donated $1,008 to the Valley Baptist Foundation - Diabetes Education Fund.

“Everybody was shocked about that,” Cosper said.

A number of members of the community came out in support of the event, despite the 48-degree weather, church members said.

“Next year it will be great,” said church member Evelyn Hudson. “We’re looking forward to next year.”

Cosper’s 11-month-old granddaughter, elementary school children and older community members participated in the walk that was a little more than a mile long, Cosper said.

“That was great, that was really good,” he said.

Each walker also received a small package with diabetes information the church received from the Valley Baptist Medical Center Diabetes Center as well as a Bible.

“I want to thank the community and the church for really getting behind this,” Cosper said.

“It took a lot of people to do this and everyone was grinning throughout the whole thing.”

Maria Gonzales, a registered nurse and educator at the Jessie B. Crump Diabetes Education Center, accepted the donation.

“This will help many people,” Gonzales said to church members.

Hospital officials said there are about half a dozen different causes to which people could donate through the Valley Baptist Foundation. The foundation accepts donations for the Children’s Center as well as scholarships, cancer and hospice efforts, among others.

The money donated by the San Benito Church for Christ will go to the diabetes center, Gonzales said.

“The funds go to helping to get more people in classes,” Gonzales said. “Education is key.”

The diabetes center offers free support classes for people with diabetes and people interested in learning more about the disease.

“You’ll live better if you have the education,” she said.

Classes that help people with diabetes learn to manage their illness, however, aren’t free. These classes can cost up to $800 for a whole session.

The money donated on Tuesday can help a patient who can’t afford the classes, Gonzales said.

“We know it’s a serious disease, but most people don’t,” she said after receiving the donation.

“It’s good people see what we see.”