Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center National Library Week

Odessa, Texas/April 13, 2025-Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center recently held an event for the community in celebration of National Library Week. Book Mobiles from the Ector County Library and Midland County Library set up in the north parking lot of the health sciences center for the special event. 

(Kristalee Kennedy, Assistant Library Director-Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center/Permian Basin) 

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin Medical students and staff can find out more of what the library in Odessa and Midland offer to their families. 

(Howard Marks, Library Director-Ector County Library/Odessa, Texas) 

National Library Week 2025 was from April 6th to April 12th and was first celebrated in 1958. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

H E B celebrates Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge at Noel Elementary

Odessa, Texas/April 13, 2025-On Friday, April 11th, H-E-B, Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick and city Councilman At-Large Graig Stoker celebrated with students, teachers and staff at Noel Elementary for the annual Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge and community cleanup. Students in classrooms across the state of Texas collected thousands of pounds of plastic bags in replicas of HEB’s recycling bins located in front-of-store. 

(Jessicka Gonzales, Public Relations-West Texas H-E-B/Texas) 

Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick read from a children’s book titled Recycling Day produced and distributed by H-E-B. The book will be placed in the Noel Elementary Library for students to check out and read. 

(Cal Hendrick, Odessa Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

The Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge kicked off on Tuesday, March 4th with a record breaking 792 schools participating in the challenge. 

(Jennie Chavez, Principal-Noel Elementary-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

H-E-B is offering shoppers free reusable bags in celebration of Earth Day coming up on April 22nd. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

  

Odessa Chamber of Commerce Host 3rd Annual Civics Bee at Odessa College

Odessa, Texas/April 7, 2025-On Saturday, April 5th, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce hosted the Third Annual National Civics Bee. 6th, 7th as well as 8th grade students from Odessa and Midland and from the Permian Basin participated in the event. 93 students submitted an essay to identify problems facing the community. 

(Shem Culpepper, Chairman-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

The National Civic’s Bee is aimed at encouraging young students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

(Shem Culpepper, Chairman-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce was chosen out of 150 Chamber of Commerce organizations across the nation by the U.S. Chamber to host the annual National Civics Bee. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest and Medical Center Health System Celebrate 19 years

Odessa, Texas/April 2, 2025-The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest and the Medical Center Health System celebrated 19 years of the Ronald McDonald Family Room at MCH. The Family Room hosted an open house for MCH staff that also included a donation drive among the staff benefitting the Ronald McDonald House Charities Family Room. 

(Emmanuel Ramirez, President/CEO-Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest) 

The Ronald McDonald Family Room located inside the hospital, provides families with a place to rest and take a break while remaining close by as their child is undergoing medical treatment. 

(Emmanuel Ramirez, President/CEO-Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest) 

The Family Room offer many of the comforts of home: living room, kitchen, a private shower, laundry facilities and four sleep rooms available to families without charge. 

(Russell Tippin, President/CEO-Medical Center Health System/Odessa, Texas) 

The Ronald McDonald Family Room is located on the 2nd Floor of the Center for Women and Infants at Medical Center Hospital. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.