U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne visited Ventana by Buckner July 31 to learn more about the senior living community, its residents and more about Buckner International’s history and programs. Ventana is located in the 24th Congressional District of Texas where Van Duyne serves. 
 
Her visit featured serving alongside the Ventana Members in a back-to-school volunteer project.
 
The residents packed backpacks with new school supplies, sorted new children’s shoes and wrote letters to the children receiving these new items during Buckner back-to-school distributions across Texas. This volunteer project is just one example of the many ways seniors living at Ventana stay connected to other Buckner ministries, such as the Buckner Family Hope Center® program and Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls®. 
 
During the volunteer event, Van Duyne noted how heartwarming it was to see “people within our own areas and our own communities that are willing to volunteer their time.”
 
It was a special sight to see the unified efforts of the Buckner ministries under one roof.
 
During her visit, she was also able to tour the Ventana property and enjoy discussion with Buckner leaders. The roundtable discussion featured leaders from Buckner Children and Family Services, Buckner International and Buckner Retirement Services.

“I’m honored to be a representative of a fantastic district,” said Van Duyne. “The work you are doing here is so important.”
 
While the needs of vulnerable children, families and seniors are being addressed through legislation, Van Duyne recognized and celebrated the hands-on solutions Buckner ministries work to provide.
 
For Buckner, building relationships with those in legislation is a valuable way to expand impact.
 
“We want to build awareness of what we’re doing and harness resources for our ministries for the next few years,” shared Randy Daniels, Buckner vice president of program development and strategic relations.