Back to School in Mission, TX

 
Members of the Rotary Club of Mission spent the last three months raising funds for a back to school project which would intended on buying new shoes for children.  Although the Rotary Club is small, they have BIG hearts that are willing to give back to the community.  Members were able to raise
 
$2,500 for this project and then approached the Mission C.I.S.D. Education Foundation about matching their funds to increase the number of children that would be assisted.  The Foundation’s match allowed Mission Rotary to also provide clothing for these school children. 
 
Hiram Burguete, Rotarian and Foundation Member said, “this was a great project to maximize resources and allows us to work together in providing a helping hand to more families in Mission.”
 
Fifty students were identified by MCISD and were led down the isles at Mission Target on August 17th.  It gave the kids a boost before the start of the new school year.  Most children were given a $100 budget to purchase the most essential clothing.  Rotarians, MCISD Foundation Members and Faculty each took a child on a mini shopping spree.  Most importantly they interacted with the youth and encouraged them to do well in school.
 
Laura Villarreal, Rotary President said, “This is such a gratifying project for our Club.  It’s an emotional experience to see children excited about a new pair of shoes.  Be assured that our Club will make sure that this project is even bigger next year.”
 
Additionally, The Mission Rotary Club’s investment of $1,000 was matched by the Sharyland ISD Education Foundation and  earmarked for donating 200  backpacks filled with school supplies to various elementary students throughout the district this year.
 
Photo captions:
 
Second grader Irene Paredes is assisted in finding a new pair of shoes by Claudia Rangel, MCISD faculty member.
 
Little Joselyn & Yahaira Olmedo, accompanied by their mother are assisted by Victoria Mancha, MCISD faculty member during their mini-shopping spree.