Staff from Houston Airports and partner concessionaires recently teamed up to equip local students with some of their back-to-school needs.

School supplies were collected for students attending Houston, Aldine and Spring independent school districts.

Everything from bookbags to paper and pencils were collected from employees at the Houston Airport System, World Duty Free Group – Hudson, Paradies Lagardère, LaTrelle’s, JDDA, HMS Host, SSP America and Four Families.

Sarah Ogu is an employee at Pappadeaux’s Seafood at William P. Hobby (HOU) Airport. She attended Lewis Elementary and her mother was also a teacher at the school. She organized baked sales with her coworkers to raise money to buy backpacks for students at Lewis. In total, they raised $1,300 with all of the monies going to the purchase of backpacks and school supplies.

Lewis Elementary School President Marlen Martinez was very appreciative of the donation because many families struggle to make sure their kids have the school supplies, clothing and basic needs to be productive in school every day. She stated, “Anytime we can supply them with anything, kids and parents are grateful because it makes such a difference to each child.”

“It was a great collaboration between a variety of stakeholders at Houston Airports including concessionaires, and so exciting time to see the joy on the faces of the students and administrators as we were able to deliver school supplies to eight schools," said Rhonda Arnold, Chief Community Relations Officer who helped organize the event with Concessions Manager Carleen “Jinx” Kerr.

Schools receiving supplies included:
Houston ISD
Lewis Elementary

Aldine ISD                                                                 
Benjamin Davis High School
Francis Elementary
Vardeman
Escamilla  Elementary
Conley Elementary
Johnson Elementary                                                                           

Spring ISD:
Westfield High School