Back to School: Smith Helps 70 Local Children in Need Receive School Uniforms

A few days before anyone knew Hurricane Harvey would hit, let alone the impact it would leave on the Bayou City, Smith’s CSR Committee gathered at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church off 288 and Reed Road to help schoolchildren in need.

It was the culmination of Smith’s yearly back-to-school drive efforts, in which employees donate money to help local children start the year off right. This year, we partnered with the Boykins Youth Foundations, which was hosting its 3rd annual event offering free haircuts, school supplies, and school uniforms for the children in the community.

Smith employees from around the world donated to our fund, raising enough money for approximately 70 children to receive a school uniform. Some Smith employees also donated their time, helping to organize donations and assist during the event.

“Our employees really care about the community,” said Patti Everitt, Smith’s HR manager, who also oversees our CSR Committee. “The way they stepped up to the plate and donated money and their time for these children is awe-inspiring.”

By the time we pulled into the church parking lot that morning, we saw a line of about 50 people – parents, grandparents, and children – who would be waiting for hours before the event even started. By the day’s end, hundreds of people in need would pass through the doors.

It’s a passion project that is dear to the founder’s heart – and one that Smith was grateful to participate in.

“I host the Back 2 School Drive to give back to the community I grew up in,” said Chris Boykins, founder of the Boykins Youth Foundations. “I was raised by a struggling single mother who needed help providing school supplies. So I told myself that, when we got financially stable, I would help out one family a year. Now it has turned into helping hundreds of families.”

Smith’s CSR Committee and marketing team were proud to participate in the volunteer opportunity, which was covered by Fox 26 and the Houston Chronicle, and to meet the community that we helped. Every donation counts, no matter how big or how small. When we all come together, we can do great things for our community!