Taft Guadalupana Society named outstanding service organization

Members of the Guadalupana Society in Taft display a plaque they received from the Taft Chamber of Commerce as the Outstanding Service Organization for 2012. Pictured in first row are Dolores Rodriguez, Minnie Salazar, Anita Moreno, Angelita Rendon, Manuela Moreno. In second row are Linda Cisneros, Delfina Moreno, Janie Banda, Nidia Trevino; Enriqueta Maldonado and Josie Flores. Contributed Photo

The Taft Chamber of Commerce awarded the Immaculate Conception Church Guadalupana Society its “Outstanding Service Organization” award at its annual banquet on Saturday, Feb. 23. When selecting the outstanding organization, the Chamber honors groups that participate in community service and are dedicated to lead as positive role models.

The Guadalupana Society earned the honor by its many service activities, including visiting the sick and elderly who are homebound and those in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as singing carols during the Christmas holidays. Their bereavement committee also provides assistance to any one in need.

The Guadalupana Society holds fundraising projects to help people in financial need with medical costs and funerals. Their largest fundraiser is the annual Jamaica, which they have sponsored for the last four years.

In addition, the group helps the “Hope House,” which is a transitional shelter for homeless women and their children in Corpus Christi. They also volunteer with the “Gabriel Project,” which offers help with newborn assistance by offering Christian love and solutions. They participate annually in the “Relay for Life” and have served meals for the homeless at the Mother Teresa Shelter in Corpus Christi. Finally, their most recent project is collecting new or used medical equipment and supplies to benefit those in need in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

The Guadalupana Society held its first consecration in 2006 with 23 members. They now have 63 members with 34 active members. Their main mission is to favor and promote devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe by practicing charity through apostolic work. In their faith, they believe that Our Lady of Guadalupe’s maternal “love” knows no bounds and as a loving mother, she hears the prayers of the heart.