As the new school year began, members of a variety of charity organizations stepped up to help ensure that students are prepared to return and that teachers have the supplies they require.
A school supply drive was recently held by the Villages Parrot Heads to benefit a nearby school.
“It’s a great chance to help a local school as a club,” said Mark Woodland, president of the club. “There are lots of organizations that help local schools, but it seems the middle and high schools don’t get as much support.”
On July 20, members of the group convened at Cody’s Original Roadhouse in Brownwood with employees from Wildwood Middle High School to collect gifts of money and school supplies for the school. They acquired an abundance of school materials and donated over $3,500 to the school for extra supplies over the course of two hours while celebrating with a reason with each other.
“We made the decision to help Wildwood Middle High School because as kids get older their help seems to decrease,” Woodland, of the Village of Gilchrist, said. “We know the Wildwood area is an area that could always use extra help.”
While members dined on a small buffet prepared by Cody’s, one of the Parrot Heads’ most ardent supporters, school employees had the opportunity to get to know club members.
“Cody’s has been good to us because they supply us with food and grant us a wristband that marks who has paid,” said Marsha Herring, the club’s charity director and community relations coordinator. “All the money raised through this wristband program goes back to the school.”
The teachers appreciate the efforts of the club members.
Illiana Miranda, a sixth through 12th grade teacher at Wildwood Middle High School, stated, “It means a lot that the club is helping our school. Having them help means giving the students more access to creativity without the having to scavenge for supplies part.”
Another instructor at the school, Jacqueline Boone, who teaches ninth through 12th grade, agrees.
“It really does mean a lot,” she said. “Because it’s more time we can focus on our students.”
Jan Donegan, chairwoman of the Help Us Help Kids Fundraiser, expressed her gratitude for the club’s collaboration with the school, sponsors and the community.
“The kids really need the school supplies, and we are glad we can be a part of that,” said Donegan, of the Village of Virginia Trace. “It never ceases to amaze us just how generous people are in this community.”
A hush came over the room as the donations were presented to the teachers, as the teachers took in the kindness. “We party with a purpose, and we try to leave the world a little better than how we found it,” Woodland said. “We are thankful that we can come together to help a worthy cause.”
Visit villagesparrotheads.com for more information about the Villages Parrot Heads.