TFCU donates $17K from Neon Desert Fundraising T-shirt

Four El Paso non-profits: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Books are Gems, Animal Rescue League, and the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence were presented with donation checks from the first TFCU and Neon Desert Music Festival fundraising T-shirt totaling $17,000.


Pictured from left are Rick Cabrera, Make-A-Wish council member, Stephanie Gorman Make-A-Wish development officer, Cindy Bilbe, Make-A-Wish council member, Peter de Wetter, Make-A-Wish council member, Cristin Apodaca, artist, and Max Villaronga, TFCU president/CEO.

Make-A-Wish Foundation received a $10,000 donation, Books are Gems and the Animal Rescue League received $3,000 each, and the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence received $1,000.

TFCU, a federal credit union serving El Paso for more than 82 years, partnered with Neon Desert for its ninth festival year. TFCU hosted the student ticket sale at three TFCU branches, sponsored the two hydration stations during the event, and created a limited-edition Neon Desert Music Festival fundraising T-shirt. The T-shirt was exclusively for sale at the TFCU booth during the music festival for $15. The El Paso community voted for the charity that would receive the most significant number of funds on TFCU’s Facebook and Instagram account (@TFCU_ElPaso). The highest voted charity was Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Talented local artist Christin Apodaca was commissioned by TFCU to fashion a T-shirt design consistent with the festival’s vibrancy. To further showcase the design, Apodaca constructed an 8 foot by 8 foot matching art piece that stood next to the TFCU booth during the event. TFCU donated $1 for every picture shared on social media with the hashtag #NeonWithTFCU to the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence.

“The TFCU team has been recognized for their generosity to our community; that is why we matched our passion for community service with our new partnership with Neon Desert Music Festival. The festival was a platform for us to spotlight El Paso’s nonprofits and help them and our community grow,” said Vice President of Marketing Alejandro Yu.

About TFCU
The mission of TFCU is to be El Paso’s premier financial institution through trust, education, and excellent member service stimulating personal enrichment and community economic development. For more information, contact Ale Loeza, marketing and public relations manager for TFCU at 915-926-2698 or email aloeza@tfcu.coop.