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GREG KWEDAR: Well, couple years ago, BSC, although one of our core values
was service, felt like we weren't really meeting our commitment to-to our core values. So,
after a lot of planning, we decided to host our fist annual Project Mays. And that was
where we wanted to have a lasting impact in the community and we worked with Wolf Pen
Creek to develop the community area, building you know, cleaning up the area, building the area.
This year though, we really wanted to expand our focus, because every year when
we-we did Project Mays, it was always-we wanted to take it a step forward. We wanted to involve more
of the business school, because it was not only providing service to the community that's
giving back to us, but also, a device to bring students, faculty and staff together.
MARY WALRAVEN: Well, this wonderful group
of students came to us in January, I believe, and offered to do a project for Bryan ISD
and they were very flexible with us and open to new ideas and the project ended up being
summer school supplies and backpacks to Jones Elementary School in Bryan. This is a high
economically disadvantaged campus with about 97% of the children on free and reduced lunch.
And that means money is tight at home.
MICHAEL KURT: Originally we were going to help subsidize some of that cost. But, we
found out that the state provides a budget for that and so we wanted to do was we wanted
to leave a more longer lasting impact and help out from supply standpoint because most
of the kids don't even have the necessary supplies to learn. We had a six foot Crayon
drop box in Wehner and thanks to the students of Mays, we were able to fill that entire
drop box. We were able to bring 601 backpacks for every single student here within Jones
Elementary and all the m-all the money that we raised in excess of that and all the other supplies
we raised in excess of that, we dispersed among the-I'd say the three other schools
that were most in need within Bryan ISD. And, within each backpack, we have a box of markers.
We have a box of colored pencils, a box of crayons, eight pens, three pencils, one highlighter
and probably I'd say one of the most important things is a little note of encouragement to
each-to each child just to really give them the motivation to do well in school,
and to succeed. And so, these are the backpacks, we've got all different-all different shapes and sizes,
so we're really excited about what we are going to be able to present to each of the
students here within Jones Elementary.
MARY WALRAVEN: This is a super gift. It's like Christmas in April for us.
MICHAEL KURT: Yes, we're just helping out
and one aspect of that-I mean, it's just one backpack, and supplies that'll last maybe
one summer, but I think the more-the more important thing behind this is the fact that
we're showing them that there are people who've, maybe not been in their exact shoes but, you
know, may have similar goals, and just showing them that we have faith in them, and that
we know that they can do anything they set their minds to.
MAYS STUDENTS: Hi. Hi. How are ya? Woman: So well behaved.
[People talking]
CHILDREN: Thank you!
LAUREN LEE: They've been-seem very happy
and very excited. I know, I was in the cafeteria, and they just can't eat cause they're just
so excited. And I think that's just amazing.
JEANNY TANHAVONG: Yeah, it's just-it's amazing just to see their faces and how happy
they are. I just have-just simple backpacks with, you know, the bare necessities-you
know, the bare necessities for school supplies to even just go to school. I mean, pencils,
Crayons-I mean, the kid that I just gave the backpack to, he loves to draw and that's
just- He was just so excited to receive those supplies.
XAKEMA HENDERSON: Oh, I've seen kids dancing.
I've seen kids hugging the volunteers, people that they don't even know. I've seen them
just talking with each other, sharing- you know, look what I got, look at mine, I
like my color. Great response. I can't imagine anything better, to be honest.
They'll remember that there are people around the community that do care, and are willing to help them out.
You know, whether it's, you know, just backpacks, or pencils, or pens, or just spending
time with them at lunch eating Juice-Pops. I had a great time at lunch with the kids,
talked to all of them. I know what they want to do when they grow up. And, you know, just
want to encourage them to keep going with education.