South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association

SURPRISE! Our beloved therapy pony Pixel, a gentle soul who has brought comfort and joy to countless children and families through the STJDA Petting Zoo, delivered a beautiful baby paint pony. We are over the moon—and we need your help.

Like many small nonprofits, we do remarkable things with limited resources. Our animals currently live entirely outdoors, without shade structures or sheltered stalls in deep South Texas, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, cold fronts arrive suddenly in winter, and extreme weather is a fact of life. A newborn foal is particularly vulnerable, and the arrival of Pixel's baby has made our shelter needs urgent.

We are raising $25,000 to take care of Pixel's foal and to finally build the covered barn our animals have needed for years. Every dollar goes directly to their health and safety. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Why it matters

The STJDA Petting Zoo at Camp Freedom is more than a petting zoo—it is a therapeutic space where children with disabilities and families in our community connect with sentient creatures in a safe, nurturing environment. Our therapy animals, Pixel included, are irreplaceable partners in our mission to care for vulnerable, Type 1 diabetic children. Keeping them healthy and sheltered is not optional. It is as essential to us as the emergency medical supplies we provide to diabetic children in need.

A covered barn means our animals have relief from the brutal South Texas sun, protection from severe cold snaps, tropical storms and wild weather, and a safe, clean space to rest. It means Pixel's foal can grow up healthy, too.

Today, Pixel's foal is sleeping under the open sky in South Texas. Please help us change that.

About our animals

Pixel and her friend, Nova, were donated to STJDA, like most of our collection—including 6 chickens, 2 ducks, 2 rabbits, 2 goats, and 4 pigs. We also took in 3 kittens and a scared, cross-eyed dog, which we suspect were dumped here. We feed, shelter and care for them all.

Although the ponies arrived with little background information, we had them dewormed, then treated for grass belly; but no one ever suggested pregnancy tests. Now, we're hoping Nova is not next in line!

Hi, I'm Debra Franco, and I'm reaching out on behalf of the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association (STJDA). This incredible organization is passionately dedicated to empowering children living with diabetes and disabilities, and their families, through crucial support, education, community awareness, and public advocacy in the Rio Grande Valley. Our work is vital in helping these children navigate the complexities of diabetes and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

This year, STJDA is facing an unprecedented financial crisis. Due to unforeseen funding cuts and challenges in meeting our fundraising budget, our ability to deliver essential programs is severely threatened. Without immediate support, this directly jeopardizes the very services that uplift countless children and families in our community.

Your support helps STJDA make a profound difference by directly contributing towards efforts like:

Providing essential medical supplies and educational resources for families managing diabetes.

Organizing life-changing summer camps like Camp Freedom, offering crucial self-management skills and peer support.

Hosting community events and workshops that build vital support networks and empower children to take control of their health.

Delivering our "Shot Spot Bears" to newly diagnosed children, easing their anxiety in hospitals.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us bridge this critical funding gap and ensures that children with diabetes continue to receive the support they desperately need. This isn't just about funding; it's about safeguarding a lifeline for vulnerable families.

Together, we can ensure STJDA overcomes this challenge and continues its vital mission. Thank you for considering a contribution to this urgent and important cause. Your generosity today will make a lasting impact in our community.