07/18/2026
Thanks to the love, support and service of our family, volunteers and community partners, we gave out nearly 1,000 free backpacks to students this summer, pushing us past 4,000 given away since we started.
This year was especially meaningful. We returned to Pride High School, the very place our grandmother Connie S. Amaya spent her career, for the first time since she retired. Walking back through those doors, surrounded by family, volunteers and the community she has loved for decades, is a moment we will never forget.
What started as a small family tradition between a grandmother and her grandson has grown into something much bigger, and it is all because of you.
To every volunteer, donor, friend and neighbor who showed up, cheered us on and helped make this day possible, thank you. You are part of this mission.
We believe every child deserves to start the school year with confidence, dignity and support. Together, we made that possible.
Thank you to the following:
Family & Founders
• Connie S. Amaya and Louis Amaya
• John Mathew “JMAT” Bernal and Stephen Potter
• Susan and Johnny Bernal
• James Morales
• Sammy, Evelyn, and daughter Amelia Morales
Lockhart ISD Leaders & School Board Members
• LISD Superintendent Mark Estrada
• LISD School Board President Michael Wright and Janie Wright (Advisory Board)
• LISD Board Member Sam Lockhart and Becky Lockhart (Advisory Board)
Community Volunteers & Supporters
• Ralph and Gloria Salazar (Advisory Board)
• Monica Salazar Shaffer (Advisory Board)
• Jill Townsend (Advisory Board)
• Deanna Juarez
• Cathy Tobias
• Maria Martinez
• Leon Contreras and Hayden Contreras
• Joe and Mary Bernal
• Sylvia and Steve Casarez
• Samantha and Emma Wright
• Michael Martin and daughter Raley Wright
• Josh Van
• Brenda Lopez and Daniel Capote
• Justin Rosales
• Mark And Crystal Ferguson (Stormtrooper)
• Members from Restored Church
A special thank you to the family at Lockhart ISD for providing the space to us!
To every student heading back to class, we are cheering for you. Have a wonderful school year, and never stop reaching for your education. That is what our grandmother has always believed, and it is what this day is all about.