SMCH at 2nd Annual San Marcos Education Fair

Seton Medical Center Hays reached out to San Marcos parents and students at the second annual San Marcos Education Fair on Saturday, October 10 at the San Marcos Activity Center. The event helps families become more involved in their children's education, and connect them to social service agencies that will ensure success. Maria Guerra, Dunia Romero Dones and Karen McAfee with Seton’s Diabetes Education Program checked blood glucose levels on 200 of the 1,500 attendees at the fair and helped educate many others on their risk of contracting diabetes.

Other participants at the Education Fair provided information on early childhood development; elementary, middle and high schools in the area; college admission information and adult and continuing education opportunities. For the children, there was a "celebrity reading corner" and an arts and craft area where local artist, Veronique Zehnder-Hahn helped students depict themselves in a variety of careers. Families attended free seminars on topics such as: "Middle School Transitions", "High School Transitions", "Algebra Spoken Here", and "Test Stress: A Parent's Guide to College Test Prep." Numerous non-profit agencies which provide vital support services to San Marcos families also participated. The ACC Mobile Go Center was on hand to help High School students complete their FAFSA and provide information on the college admission process.

All attendees of the Fair that visited a minimum of six booths were eligible to enter a drawing to win great door prizes including gift cards, bicycles, and brand new laptop computers. The event's key message for San Marcos families is that Education Pays. Students that graduate from high school can expect lifetime earnings of more than $1 million dollars. Students that graduate from college will earn another million in lifetime earnings.

Tax-Free Gifts from your IRA!

Don’t miss a great opportunity to make tax-free gifts from your IRA! Congress just extended a law that lets those who are 70 ½ or older make tax-free gifts to benefit our healing mission using funds transferred directly from an IRA. The law gives you a tax benefit whether or not you itemize your deductions. Best of all, the transfer DOES count toward your required minimum distribution, if you have not taken your distribution this year. For more information about this tax-smart way to give, please call Michele Gonzalez at (512) 634-6857 to talk to someone about how you can make a gift from your IRA.