The ear-to-ear smiles from students and teachers have a way of lighting up a room – especially when the Pasadena Independent School District Education Foundation visits a campus.

Every year, the Foundation gives grants to teachers for innovative classroom projects that supplement instruction. Over the past six years, $695,000 in grants has been awarded to educators in the district who have implemented creative curriculum to educate their students. Some of the grants have gone toward the study of biodiesel energy, technology that helps improve students’ skills in reading and math and resources that help students to succeed.

It is the generosity of others that makes these dreams come true.

“Our donors are united by one common thread – they all have a heart for children,” said Cindy Parmer, executive director of the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation. “We want to be able to help provide supplemental funding to teachers to give them the resources they need.”

Funding for the grants comes from several sources of donations, including employee payroll dedications and special events during the year. Table sponsorships are held at events, such as the Dell-Pasadena ISD Education Foundation Shining Stars Gala and the Dancing With the Principals event.

However, the major fundraiser for the Foundation has become what is known as a “monumental” event – and all a person must do is following the bouncing ball – to the McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament. The championship team in the event receives a trophy that is a replica of the San Jacinto Monument.

The tournament is the foundation’s primary fundraiser and has gained the reputation as one of the top high school basketball tournaments in the region. This year’s event, which will feature 48 boys teams and 32 girls teams, will be held at all Pasadena ISD high school gymnasiums, Phillips Field House, Pearland High School and Pearland Dawson High School on Nov. 19-21.

Several of the teams in the tournament have been ranked in state and national high school basketball polls. This year’s gold bracket championship game will be televised live locally on KTBU Channel 55 and also on their network stations around the state.

Since the tournament contributed $10,000 to the Foundation in its first year in 2003, the funds raised have climbed sharply each year. Last year, the tournament donated $125,000. Funding comes from ticket sales and business sponsorships of the tournament. In the past six years, the tournament has contributed more than $385,000 to the foundation.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s future. The tournament is not only a chance to watch some great basketball, but all of the proceeds to a great cause,” said Ben Meador, tournament chairman and president of Meador Staffing Services. Meador is also a 1957 Pasadena High School alumnus.

To learn how you can become involved with the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation, call Parmer at 713-740-0288. For information on the McDonald’s Texas Invitational, go to www.texasinvitational.com. If you are interested in being a sponsor for the tournament, contact Wayne Adams at 713-882-3848.