One of our favorite events of the year has come and gone. I Got Your Back is our big summer opportunity to serve students of South Dallas by providing backpacks, school supplies, uniforms, shoes, and toiletries for the upcoming school year. Since it’s the last event of the summer, we also turn the event into a giant block party for the whole neighborhood!
Over the last month, we have partnered with over a dozen organizations to make this happen. The best part about this is seeing the mutual interest among all our partners--passion for aiding students and assisting families in South Dallas. Everyone unifies to support the potential and the value of these young minds.
Partners provided more than donations by volunteering; over 50 people helped staff the event, painted faces and nails, handed out supplies and food, and hosted fun games for attendees. Bingo was a huge hit as the seniors showed up and won prizes! The little ones were drawn to the bounce houses and other inflatables. Every attendee played their odds with the raffle giveaway, and four participants won big and took home televisions! Other winners received bicycles, camping chairs, a Dallas Cowboy’s jersey, and more.
Special days like this make our work in South Dallas feel worthwhile, as the neighborhood is celebrating and fellowshipping together as one.
One little girl at the event told us, “This is the best day of my life.” That is incredibly humbling and meaningful feedback, and it serves as an important reminder of how sensitive young students are to positive experiences and their community’s belief in them.
Thank you dearly to all volunteers and donors. Because of you, South Dallas students are generationally impacted.
Heartfelt thanks to partner organizations that did so much to make this event a reality:
Community Engagement and Opportunity Council
Prestonwood Baptist Church
Mercy Street
Prestonwood Christian Academy
Dallas Chinese Bible Church
Christ Church Plano
South Dallas Driving Academy
Dallas Police Department
Black Police Association
PepsiCo / Frito Lay
Grecia Garcia Real Estate
Lynn & Jim Pokorny
Grace Bridge Ministry
Prime Nation Football Club
Cornerstone Financial / Northwest Mutual