San Angelo Pachyderm Encourages Community Involvement

SAN ANGELO, Texas - When most people hear the word pachyderm, they think of various large, thick-skinned mammals, such as the elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus. However, some people may not know that there is another kind of pachyderm: concerned and determined citizens who gather regularly to discuss relevant issues, and who strive to work in unison for the betterment of communities.

The Pachyderm is a nationwide organization, and San Angelo has its own group headed by local resident Fred Contreras. As President for the San Angelo Pachyderms, he said "The reason we come together as a club and as a community is because of our principles, our values and our common beliefs. Our mission statement is to promote active citizen involvement and education in government and politics..." 

Contreras said the group meets the the third Wednesday of every month at 11:45 a.m., at Zentner's Daughter, 1901 Knickerbocker Road, for probably the last 19 years.  

"I am the President," he said. "On the Board of Directors, we have Judge Eddie Howard, Joseph Vargas, Elizabeth McGill, our County clerk, the District Attorney John Best, Becky Ruff, Don Miller, Lyleann McClellan Thee, our board finance person, and our newest member is Leslie Healy, a local Real Estate Broker. We have a wide group of people involved with diverse backgrounds."

Today's meeting will consist of lunch, and the meeting will start promptly at noon.

"This meeting is open to the general public; everyone is welcome to attend. Our guest speaker will be Texas Ranger Nick Hanna, and he'll be speaking to us about what those guys do."

 
As for scheduling speakers, Contreras said, "We have a Committee Speakers Group headed by Elizabeth McGill, who sets them up. Last month, we had The Tom Green County Republican Party, and before that, it was Sheriff David Jones. We gave an award to Sheriff Jones, and at that same time, we had the people from Senator Charles Perry's office there who also gave him an award, and so did representative Drew Darby's office. We've had about just about everybody from different areas come and speak about a variety of things; it's just a diverse educational process." 

Contreras mentioned the many other things the group is involved in as well.

"We really do a lot of good things in the community, including raising money for the Salvation Army, Meals for the Elderly, the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, Christmas in the Barrio, House of Faith, and more."

 The regular membership annual dues are $35 for the year, but Contreras stressed, "You don't have to have a membership to come to our meeting, and all are welcome."

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