CWB Gift Giveaway continues to place smiles on East Side Faces
(By: Burrell Parmer/CWB Advisory Board) — The Claude W. Black Center Advisory Board in partnership with the Dreambuilders of Texas Charitable Foundation (formerly Desert of Texas Charitable Foundation) hosted the 46th Annual Claude W. Black Community Center Holiday Gift Giveaway at the center.
The event, which was opened to the public, was designed to provide low-income families with joy during the Christmas Holiday.
“This event continues to place smiles on the faces of children and their parents and grandparents,” said Advisory Board President Tavarus Glover. “Additionally, the event allowed business, civic, and social organizations to combine forces to help our families in the area who are struggling this holiday season.”
Although the event had to be modified due to District 2 Field Office’s expansion, the advisory board was able to adjust the flow of guests but had to significantly reduce the amount of resource vendors due to lack of space.
“We are having a tough time this Christmas and I wanted my children to have something special,” said Arlette Cruz, who brought her two children to the gift giveaway. “I teach my kids to be grateful for everything they have and receive.”
For Cruz, of Windcrest, Texas, this was her first time attending the event.
“I am so glad that my child’s teacher informed me of the event and encouraged me to come by,” said Cruz. “I am so happy to have come to this event which brought the community together. I think it is something special.”
Kathy Gibson of Miller Child Development Center brought the center’s children to the gift giveaway.
“Some of our parents may not be able to provide their families with a Merry Christmas,” said Gibson. “Our kids were very excited saying, ‘we’re almost there, we see the hallway, we see the food, the presents, and the Grinch.’”
Rebecca Cantu of H-E-B, who was joined by several other H-E-B volunteers, is no stranger to supporting the advisory board’s community events.
“I love to give back to the community and to see the children’s smiles,” said Cantu, who volunteered during the 2024 Back-to-School Jamboree. “Having this event is a blessing to those families in need.”
When asked why H-E-B continues to support the event, Cantu stated, “Because we support the community.”
The event was presented by H-E-B and supported by the following sponsors: San Antonio Zulus Association, 19th Masonic District (Prince Hall Masons), Moussa Temple No. 106 (Prince Hall Shriners), Noble Gentlemen of San Antonio, Alpha Pi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Fred Brock American Legion Post No. 828, Family Service Financial Center, City of San Antonio Human Services, Cintas, Frost Bank, and San Antonio Observer.
The Claude W. Black Center Advisory Board was established to support programming at the Claude W. Black Community Center and to serve as a resource for coordinating community services and fostering partnerships that promote economic self-sufficiency, family strengthening, and enhance the quality of life for children, families and seniors living on the East Side.
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