Bryan/College Station Community Unites for Holiday Joy with Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program

Bryan/College Station Celebrates Generosity with Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program

In the *heart of Bryan/College Station*, there’s a buzz of excitement and gratitude as the Salvation Army proudly announced that it has collected gifts for over 2,300 Angel Tree recipients. This wonderful initiative aims to spread joy during the holiday season by providing presents to children in need, and thanks to the community’s generosity, 200 last-minute gifts were gathered just in time for the festivities.

Last-Minute Donations Bring Joy

Speaking on *The Infomaniacs* radio show, Kathleen Sanderson, a spokeswoman for the Salvation Army, expressed her heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this noble cause. She highlighted the importance of community spirit and how the contributions would brighten the lives of so many children this holiday season.

Calling All Volunteers!

Now that the gifts have been collected, the Salvation Army is in need of helping hands! Volunteers are being sought to assist with the distribution of gifts on December 17 and 18. The gifts will be handed out at the former Bealls store located on the Holleman Drive side of Post Oak Mall from 8 AM to 4 PM. If you feel the holiday spirit and want to be a part of spreading joy, drop by and lend a hand!

Additionally, if you have a bit of spare time this season, the Salvation Army is also looking for volunteers to ring bells at various red kettle locations around town. This is a terrific way to give back and engage with the community. Interested individuals can find more information and sign up by visiting the website dedicated to registered bell ringing.

Texas A&M Facing Challenges, But Staying Committed

Meanwhile, Texas A&M’s president, Mark Welsh, had quite a bit to discuss during the recent faculty senate meeting held in December. He addressed several pressing issues, including the challenges of balancing the university’s *growing student population*, currently nearing 80,000, with budget constraints and capacity problems.

Addressing Facilities and Infrastructure

One of the main takeaways from his discussions was the university’s need to focus on improving its facilities and infrastructure before adding more undergraduate students. This means that academic deans wishing to roll out new programs might need to rethink their strategies and possibly downsize in other areas.

Welsh reassured everyone involved that faculty members would play a critical role in these discussions. Notably, this situation does not restrict the university from expanding its number of graduate and online students, so there’s still room for growth in those areas.

Future Improvements and Commitments

With the aim of bettering the campus environment, Welsh announced that an outside consultant will begin reviewing Texas A&M’s over 270 facilities starting in January. This decision came in response to concerns over building repairs and the basic needs of both students and employees.

Moreover, the president assured attendees that he would share a list of upcoming projects funded by the system during the next five years to address concerns about spending on the RELLIS campus, which has raised some eyebrows among faculty members.

Brazos County Commissioners in Action

On the administrative front, the Brazos County commissioners met for their session on December 10 and took some significant steps forward. They approved various motions related to six construction projects, with the highlight being a new stretch of I&GN Road, which precinct one commissioner Steve Aldrich encouraged motorists to drive. This project involved a slight budget increase of about $1,500, bringing the total cost close to $6 million.

Bridge Repairs and Future Developments

Additionally, the commissioners approved change orders that reduced costs for bridge repairs at four locations by a combined amount of $205,000 and allocated funds for designing improvements on several other roads in the county, amounting to nearly $350,000.

Changes at the Bryan Municipal Court

In other community news, a longtime Bryan municipal court associate judge, Colleen Batchelor, is set to retire on March 31, 2025. Mayor Bobby Gutierrez recognized her extensive service during the recent council meeting, a testament to her commitment over the years since her appointment back in *March 1985*.

As the Bryan/College Station community gears up for the holidays, there’s much to celebrate and many opportunities to lend a helping hand. Whether it’s donating gifts, volunteering, or engaging in constructive conversations about the future of local institutions, the spirit of giving and collaboration is alive and well in this vibrant city!