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Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
Students and Staff Pay It Forward, Coordinate Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
Posted on 09/01/2017
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Students and staff in Canutillo ISD started off their school year by coordinating Hurricane Harvey relief efforts to assist families, kids and pets who have been affected by the severe flooding in Southeast Texas. Friday, September 1, 2017, students loaded trucks headed to the affected region with thousands of supplies collected around the District and the community.

Jose H. Damian Elementary sought to collect donations of food, water and toiletries from their community, fellow CISD campuses and central administration offices. Northwest Early College High School collected infant, toddler and adult diapers to assist victims through the Austin Diaper Bank.

Canutillo ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Pedro Galaviz stressed the importance of getting involved in the community both near and far.

“With all that’s happening in the world today, sometimes we need to forget ourselves and think about others during these times,” Galaviz said. “Forget about the little unimportant things that bother us every day and get up and do something real to help those around us in need.”

As part of their campus theme this year, “Pay It Forward,” JDE teachers and staff also kicked off the year by gathering toys, games and art supplies from other campuses and central office. Monday, August 21, the teams delivered the gift baskets to various children’s non-profit organizations.

Damian Elementary Principal, Jesus Barba says he decided to take on this initiative and team building activity because he feels that we all need to pay our blessings forward. 

“I grew up around a lot of the things that these kids see and feel that now, as a school community, we need to help others,” Barba said. “I have been in situations where I have been without and definitely know what it is to go hungry and what it is to worry about how rent will be paid from one month to the next.”

The organizations JDE helped in August were the Ronald McDonald House, El Paso Children's Hospital, Dame La Mano Family Crisis Center, Rescue Mission of El Paso, the Reynold's Home, and Providence Children's Hospital.

Barba says that the main purpose for the event is to build community. The “Pay It Forward” activity will be extended to the students, who Barba calls “scholars,” and parents as they will be collecting donations for designated organizations throughout the school year.