The Ching Team, headed by Brian Ching of the Houston Dynamo is formed. The team works to build awareness for childhood obesity by using their favorite sport, soccer, as a venue to educate children the importance of exercise. Click pictures for details.
2005
2006
2007
The story so far...
2004
3,000 participants showed up for a day of fun and community service. By the days end, there were 4,000 toys made for children in need! Click pictures for details.
2008
The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council Woodworking Patch is launched. Click patch for requirements.
Melissa Wilson, News Anchor, FOX 26 KRIV-TV at 9:00pm teams with Brian Ching to further support the cause.
Bill White, Mayor of the City of Houston, proclaimed December 19th as Gifts with Heart Day in Houston, Texas.
On June 22, 2005, Gifts with Heart received its status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
In October 2005, Gifts with Heart teamed with the Girl Scouts, Design 1-2-3, and Lowe’s to develop a patch that supports service and community-based organizations by providing project ideas.
ART CONTEST
In September 2006, Gifts with Heart teamed with Houston ISD to promote an art contest. The top two winners’ art was used to package donated gifts. Winners were announced at the Gifts with Heart Community Fair. Click picture for details.
On November 19, 2006, Gifts with Heart and Lowe’s hosted the first Build-A-Thon, a city wide, charity, gift-making event. Click picture for details.
GIFT EXCHANGE
On Gifts with Heart Day (December 19), 1,000 children celebrated the gift exchange at the Houston Children’s Museum. Click picture to details.
On May 5, 2007, the Girls Scouts of San Jacinto Council awarded Gifts with Heart a community award for outstanding support over an extended period of time.
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Gifts with Heart published a bilingual volunteer newsletter that was printed and distributed by the Greensheet Education Foundation in Houston, Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona.
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To raise money for gift making workshops, Gifts with Heart published a bilingual coloring book which was sold to Ben Taub Hospital. Click picture for details.
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On December 19th, children celebrated the holiday at the first annual gift exchange.
Camilo Monroy won the first art contest co-sponsored by Greensheet and Gifts with Heart. Camilo’s art was printed on gift bags and used to wrap gifts distributed at the second annual gift exchange. The party to distribute gifts was held at the Houston Children’s Museum. Click picture for details.
COMMUNITY FAIR
June 10, 2006, Lowe’s, Gifts with Heart, Capital One Bank, Valspar Paint and Jet Power Tools hosted a community fair to teach customers painting techniques, creating an outdoor living space and preparing for a hurricane. Click picture for details.
Morgan Matlock Hightower, Miss Texas 2005 with Susan Mullins, President, Gifts with Heart
MAY 20, JANE LONG MIDDLE SCHOOL TALENT SHOW
Jane Long Middle School produced a Talent Show which showcased students’ creative talents with poetry readings, guitar and piano performances, singing and break dancing.
Judges were Principal, Mrs. De La Rosa, Miss Texas 2005, Morgan Matloch Hightower and V.P. of Community National Bank, Alan Bagwell.
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Ching Team vs Minute Maid
PROCLAMATION
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All Star Game
Fred Arnold, Manager, Strategic Alliances Coca-Cola North America,
Oliver Luck, President, Houston Dynamo
Nicole Willis, Social Worker,
Mark Olson, Ching Team Coach,
the Minute Maid alternates Pedro Chavez, Julian Lopez and Carlos A. Rodriguez.
Thank you to all pictured and H.I.S.D.!
In June 2006, The Gifts with Heart and a Movie series made its debut on UPN/My20 television station. The series was created to show kids, parents and educators how to easily make gifts.
1st Place Winners
2nd Place Winners
3rd Place Winners
October 2004, Gifts with Heart was launched!
Lowe’s, the national home improvement retailer, sponsored Gifts with Heart to complete a series of hands-on gift-making workshops to help scouts and school children fulfill community service requirements. In just six weeks, more then 500 people, from all walks of life attended 25 workshops and made 2,000 gifts for children in need.
