Giving Back

At GarzaEMC, civic duty is a core value that resonates throughout our organization. With several of our team members serving on various boards of local organizations, including the Salvation Army, we actively encourage volunteering to positively impact the communities we serve. As the 2024-2025 school year kicked off, we wanted to help students get excited about going back to school. Together with Central National Bank (CNB), we hosted a back-to-school party with our friends at the Salvation Army. From a popcorn machine and bounce house to potato sack races and train rides, this event brought lasting smiles to everyone who attended.

Booths Galore

Booths were set up across the field, offering a variety of activities and prizes for everyone. An arts and crafts booth allowed children to express their creativity as they colored sheets, drew pictures, and painted rocks. GarzaEMC volunteer Sarah Johnson said, “Volunteering at the arts and craft table was so sweet. It truly allowed the chance to talk to the families and the kids.”

A Polaroid picture booth where students posed with friends and family provided instant prints ready to be hung in lockers. The face painting booth was a crowd favorite. Some children transformed into princesses, sprinkled with fairy dust, sparkles, and every shade of pink. Others morphed into their favorite Marvel characters, instantly taking on the personas of superheroes ready to fight the bad guys. GarzaEMC volunteer, Madeleine Maltais, shared “The coolest part of the event was when I finished painting batman on a little boy's face, and he BECAME THE BATMAN in front of me. He made his voice deep and raspy and ran around the rest of the event saying, "I am Batman.” Even parents joined in, eager to relive their childhood fun. Another face painting volunteer Toni Parkman shared, “Painting faces was more special than expected. We got to genuinely connect with each person – child and parent – that sat down, and that was my favorite part.”

Another hit was the dunk tank. Students transformed into all-star pitchers as they took on the opportunity to submerge Austin Area Commander Major Lewis Reckline. A special kind of belly laughter ignited in them every time the target was it and their smiles would shine for hours. GarzaEMC volunteer Marissa Garza worked this activity and shared she “was lucky enough to work near Major Lewis Reckline the whole time in the dunk booth. [She] loved seeing how he and the kids interacted. He was constantly joking with them and making it a really fun experience! You can tell he is passionate about the families of the Army to make sure they feel safe, welcomed, and happy”.

Students, parents, and volunteers also participated in foot races and potato sack races. GarzaEMC volunteer Justin Rusthoven shared, “The event was a blast…even if I did come in last in every race. The kids were just too fast!” When asked about a particularly powerful moment during the event, he added, “seeing how big of a smile was on the kids’ faces as they walked up to each station.”

When they weren’t racing or exploring their inner artist, students and parents took a seat on the Sock Hop Train for a ride around the event. It was a fun way to cool off and enjoy a bit of a breeze. And as the summer event was winding down, the snow cone truck arrived! Families, with their decked-out face paintings and prizes in hand, lined up to cool off with some of Austin’s best snow cones. GarzaEMC volunteer Ashley Morrow reflected on the event, saying, “One of the more powerful moments for me was seeing that even though these families may be in particularly difficult situations, they were still able to smile and find joy in the little things...”

You Get a Shoe, You Get a Shoe, and YOU Get a Shoe!

All in all, the event was a tremendous success. Though it only lasted a few hours, the memories will last a lifetime. Along with the memories, each child also received a brand-new pair of Adidas shoes. Thanks to our partnership with CNB, we were able to make sure 150 students start off on the right foot going into the new school year.

President of GarzaEMC, Rudy Garza, shares “We feel incredibly blessed to be part of this community. As a company deeply rooted here, we have a responsibility to give back and help others. Our team is passionate about making a difference and being a part of this event and having the privilege to provide joy—and some pretty cool back-to-school shoes—was truly an honor.”

Interested in Volunteering?

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with the Salvation Army, you can view their opportunities on their website. Get signed up today!