Sunday morning is typically a day of relaxation for most students. However, for our Spartans involved with Communities In Schools (CIS), traveling to Downtown El Paso to volunteer their time and offer assistance at a charity is how they would spend their day.

The Ronald McDonald House, a non-profit organization that opened in 1984 in the Sun City, has helped offer families a place to stay while kids receive medical attention. The charity helps thousands of families in need and CIS decided to lend their support.

“CIS is a program a to develop kids’ social skills,” Martha Molina said.

The students wasted no time in spending time with the patients. The activities consisted of coloring, and chatting while eating snacks.  

According to CIS representatives, the organization helps orchestrate several events to give students several opportunities to get involved in the community. 

Students were able to get some perspective on the importance of giving to others. 

“Our experience was really good when we saw all of the kids we were helping,” junior Leslie Tapia said. “I think we all learned that we have to be more thankful for what we have. When we first got there we had a lot of treats and stuff for the kids, we were there coloring and communicating with the kids there.”

A rewarding experience that some students will not forget. 

“It was a good experience,” junior Angelique Candia said. “We got to see some of the kids and get to see what they were doing like seeing how they get to the hospital and how some families struggle. From my experience, I learned not everyone has everything you have so you have to be very grateful for it.”

CIS will be putting together turkey baskets for Thanksgiving and will be accepting turkey donations. The goal is to make 30 baskets.