SAN ANTONIO – (Dec. 20, 2024) – The American Legion Family of Fred Brock American Legion Post 828 was a sponsor of the 46th Annual Claude W. Black Community Center Holiday Gift Giveaway held at the Claude W. Black Community Center.
The event, presented by H-E-B, was hosted by the Claude W. Black Center Advisory Board in partnership with the Dreambuilders of Texas Charitable Foundation (formerly Desert of Texas Charitable Foundation).
According to Post Commander Burrell Parmer, the event, which supported 423 children, was designed to provide low-income families with joy during the Christmas holiday.
“The Holiday Giveaway continues to place smiles on the faces of children and their parents and grandparents,” said Parmer, a past advisory board president. “It was only fitting that our post partner with the advisory board to assist families in having a great Christmas for children this year.”
For Arlette Cruz of Windcrest, Texas, this was her first time attending the event.
“We are having a tough time this Christmas and I wanted my children to have something special,” said Cruz, who brought her two children to the gift giveaway. “I am so glad that my child’s teacher informed me of the event and encouraged me to come by. I am so happy to have come to this event that 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.”
The event was 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 828, Family Service Financial Center, City of San Antonio Human Services, Cintas, Frost Bank and San Antonio Observer.
