The Pasadena community is clearly one that believes in supporting its youth and their education by being involved in the Pasadena Independent School District.

While some may choose to make monetary contributions for a particular campus event or program, others may decide that mentoring a child through Junior Achievement or HOSTS is the right move for them to make. Either way, hundreds of businesses, clubs, organizations and community members have shown their dedication to the district and its students through the thousands of dollars and volunteer hours donated every year.

And with a variety of opportunities available through the Partners in Pasadena program, it isn’t hard for an organization to find its place in the district.

“There are so many ways to get involved with Pasadena ISD whether it’s through the education foundation, business/school partnerships or campus volunteer programs,” said the district’s executive director of community relations Cindy Parmer. “It’s easy, fun and makes a world of difference in the lives of kids.”

Some companies such as Air Products Pasadena Facility and its employees get involved by adopting a campus. When a business adopts a school it continuously gives to it throughout the year. Air Products adopted Kruse Elementary School more than 10 years ago and currently has several employee volunteer programs implemented on the campus.

Air Products employees mentor Kruse students through the district’s HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed) program as well as through their own “Lunch Bunch” program in which a handful of Air Products employees individually mentor a child once a week by having lunch with them in the school cafeteria and becoming their “buddy.”

“Our involvement is such a big investment in our future,” said the company’s plant manager Jacques Joseph. “It is also a rewarding experience for our employees to see academic improvement in our students. We want to help the kids understand and set goals, improve their self-esteem, as well as their pride in themselves and their school.”

Air Products also created a reading program named after Kruse called Kids Reading Until Summers End and provides a Christmas party with gifts, refreshments and a Santa Claus for needy families every year. The company also makes regular financial contributions to the school.

Joey Bowers, president and CEO of ABF Printing Services, is chairperson for the Lions Club “Walk for Sight,” which raises money to purchase eye exams and eyeglasses for needy children in Pasadena ISD. Last year, the event raised more than $12,000 aiding more than 900 students from 27 Pasadena ISD elementary schools.

“By being involved with schools, we have the opportunity to help and provide a positive influence to children,” Bowers said. “In today’s age, there is so much more to school than reading, writing and arithmetic, and it requires people from the community to become partners in the process. We are happy to serve our children and our community.”

Barmore Insurance, owned by Pasadena High School alumni Bill and Mike Barmore, is also a regular contributor to the district. For the past two years, Barmore has donated $25,000 to the Education Foundation, which provides grants to teachers districtwide for innovative educational programs.

The McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament in November is an annual weekend event that brings in more than 300 community volunteers, as well as thousands of dollars donated by more than 20 local sponsors. In 2001, tournament chairman and president of Meador Staffing Services Ben Meador and other community leaders created the event to market the school district and the city in hopes of it eventually becoming the foundation’s main fundraiser, which it has.

“The tournament allows us to showcase the school district and city as well as generates funds for educational programs throughout the district through the foundation,” Meador said. “The support and enthusiasm of hundreds of community volunteers and sponsors have made this a special event for everyone involved.”

The Pasadena ISD Education Foundation/Dell Shining Stars Gala, an annual event recognizing the top 10 academic students from each high school and their teachers who were chosen as making a difference in their lives, is another event generating a great deal of generosity from the community. Dell donates laptop computers and cases to each student, and Lyondell-Houston Refining (another longtime Pasadena ISD partner) provides decorations for the event.

The gala brings in more than $60,000 for the foundation through table sponsors including Mel Cowart, Taxis Fiesta, American Acryl, Bay Architects, Barmore Insurance, Brady Hull & Associates, Lyondell-Houston Refining, Shell Federal Credit Union, Chevron-Phillips Chemical Company, Phelps Insurance Agency, Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and many other organizations and individuals.

“The community and area businesses make events like the Shining Stars Gala possible,” said the foundation’s president Randy Perry. “The gala is an opportunity for us to recognize students who could potentially be our next leaders. Our community’s children are our future, and local businesses play a huge role in their success. I encourage all businesses in the area to become more involved.”

While the stories of generosity are endless, the opportunities for local businesses and the community to get involved in the lives of Pasadena ISD students are not. Pasadena ISD openly depends on the community to help educate its students in all aspects of life. And starting the new school year backed by a generous and involved community can only mean one thing for students—success.

“The educational support provided by our community makes dreams come true for our students and their teachers,” Pasadena ISD Superintendent Kirk Lewis said. “Every student benefits from having adult role models in their lives and from interacting with them in ways that are uncommon in a regular learning session. Whether it is through time or money, partnerships with businesses and the community provide another thread of support that has a positive impact on student achievement. We look forward to working with you and appreciate all you do for our students.”

For more information on how to get involved, contact Parmer at 713-740-0288 or e-mail her at cparmer@pasadenaisd.org.