Empathy in Action: How FISDCares is Changing Lives in Friendswood ISD

Speaker 1 You said last night they did win because the two prior games they had lost. Right. Is the four. Speaker 2 Games. Speaker 1 Is it Alvin with. Speaker 3 More or lose? Last night was Bluejays, so. Speaker 1 But would be terrible. You know, it's hard teams in games and no. Speaker 3 As painful and it was our our book and that really sort of choked Yeah. Speaker 1 Was it. Pressly They gave it up when we were up four to nothing or something like that. Sorry, my hair's caught. I've got to I. Speaker 3 Think it was the whole bullpen. But yes, I did see Pressley lose a few. Speaker 1 Sorry. Pressley If you're listening to this podcast, sorry I'm on the out my name, but I. Speaker 2 Don't remember who it was. There was a pitcher several years ago. He had like longer hair, kind of wavy. Speaker 1 Ryan Stanek or Oh, Stanek was long, long, but McCullough. Speaker 3 McCullough Oh, Lance McCullers. Speaker 2 I think that was my husband. So my husband has longer hair and like similar style. And so he had gone to the game and he was walking like they lost in like, I guess that pitcher had like a really bad game that day. And so he and his mom were walking back to their car and people were yelling at him, thinking like yelling at Shawn, thinking he was the Pinto. Speaker 1 Oh, guy. Oh. Speaker 2 No, no. Yeah. Speaker 1 Not good. Speaker 3 McCullers hopefully comes back to season. He's been on the aisle like, all last season with us. I believe so. Speaker 1 Oh, okay. See, Amanda, you're a better fan than I am. I need to get back. I'm kind of weird. I love the Astros, but I get out of it out of the season and like, it's I need refreshers and reminders of who's who and where they play and all that kind of stuff. I feel like every season was just kind of scary. Speaker 1 But okay, let's get started. Welcome to the Season three Episode 13 of FISA is the podcast where Kelsey goes, That's me and Dana. Oh, and that's me. I have the pleasure of interviewing interesting people and discussing anything and everything. Friends would. Esty Welcome Lindsay Walz and Amanda McLaughlin from the alliance slash feisty cares my job here this morning. Speaker 1 Thanks for. Speaker 3 Having us. Speaker 1 Yeah we had. Speaker 2 A large crowd. Speaker 1 This morning. Thanks for joining all of us. Speaker 2 Shout out to a vet, Camerino, who told me that she does listen to all of these episodes. So she. Speaker 1 Said every Yes. Speaker 2 Yes, all of them. Yes. So I'm like, we're going to give her a little shout out right now. Yeah. Speaker 1 If you like to email us. You also listen to every episode. Maybe we'll give you a shout out. Yeah, I like it. Marketing is welcome, ladies. Glad you're here. We are. So we were able to sit down. I guess it was. I'm terrible. The time frame. Maybe a month ago and just talk back through Feisty Cares and the alliance and everything that's going on with you, with the Alliance should apply to the Alliance. Speaker 1 You're just 5050 cares. I don't want to confuse. Speaker 3 I think the more people realize that they're into the. Speaker 2 Side. Speaker 3 I think the better off we are. So either one will be great. Okay. Speaker 1 Just talking through everything that you all have going on and coming up, kind of realized y'all would be a perfect podcast because FISA cares. There's so much that you do for Friendswood and that you've frankly been doing for Friendswood. Esty It would just be a great opportunity for everyone to hear what you do, what's going on and what's coming up, because you do have some exciting things coming up that people I think would be very interested in and so tell us or tell our listeners kind of how feisty care got started and how what inspired its creation. Speaker 3 Well, in 2019, I met with that war superintendent and just kind of talked about some of the challenges that Friendswood is a smaller district town in regard to providing, you know, additional support for students. And so we had sort of an opportunity some funding was coming available in September of that year. And so it was sort of a road map to how we could apply for some of that money to support some additional programs here in the district. Speaker 3 And so we we got the money and we kind of jumped in and we have a use prevention curriculum. So it's evidence based, but it's it's it's so much more. When you say prevention, I think it kind of gives you sort of a certain connotation. But it's it's all about goal setting and how to be a good friend. Speaker 3 And tell us a. Speaker 2 Little bit about. Speaker 3 Anger management and just just some great life skills that every kid needs. And it's not that they aren't getting them anywhere else, but I know that sometimes reinforcement is is is good for for anything. And so that and then we have a community coalition that just really is working on environment and all strategies, particularly focused on vaping on fentanyl and other prescription drugs. Speaker 3 And and so that was kind of where we started. And we had our first coalition meeting in February of 2020, and it was great. We had a great turnout. And then by spring break of the next month, we all know what happened. And so, okay, so then how what do we do next and what we learned, that sort of relayed the message to me is that we had families in our finest who ordinarily had no need of any kind of outside assistance. Speaker 3 But, you know, one parent had lost a job or they had had a significant decline in their income, and all of a sudden now they've got to pay their house note and they've got to, you know, pay all of those bills. And so that's how a Feisty cares was born. We launched a website on April 1st of 2020 and started really trying to figure out how we raised funds because it's not something Grant could pay for. Speaker 3 So we raised funds from the same community and then we sort of case managed a whole host of families that many are no longer on our caseload, but we just continued to serve families who have, you know, found themselves and and a little bit of a bind for whatever reason. A lot of the challenges that we have served are related to health care, because I think, you know, health can change on a dime. Speaker 3 And there are a lot of things that insurance doesn't cover or, you know, maybe it covers the treatment, but all of a sudden you have a parent that can't work, you know, And so just really coming alongside those families and trying to make sure that the kids don't sort of fall through the cracks because of whatever that family has recently experienced. Speaker 1 Alison, When I first heard that this really came about because of COVID, you know, you take COVID and you say COVID and people kind of almost shut down mentally. I feel like or like they don't want to talk about it. They don't want to go back to that place. But what COVID did, it was really it became an opportunity for groups like you to serve our residents and our community, where, as you had just said, you know, there are a lot of people maybe in maybe it's a misconception. Speaker 1 Also. Well, it is a misconception that a lot of families don't really need help in Friendswood, but that's not true. I mean, that's not true. And then COVID comes along and there are people that couldn't work that have always worked. There are we now know just the social emotional impact that COVID had on families. I mean, change that dynamic of depression or alcoholism or in every community, not just Friendswood and so what a beautiful thing that the alliance came along and started at 50 cares to be able to support those students and those families where they needed it and kind of met them where they where they are. Speaker 3 It was just a cool partnership because it wasn't just any family. It was a direct referral from your fiesty counselor. Right? And so we've been able to really, you know, kind of lock it down to serve those families that those counselors have identified so that we know that it's families who are currently enrolled in this district. And and that helps reassure donors to that that anything that they donate stays close to home. Speaker 3 And it's helping the families that they may interact with every day that they just don't know. Right. Speaker 1 Right here in our community. And you're right. If anyone knows, it's our counselors on campuses. They work so closely with families. You know, a mother or father may call and say, Billy's been struggling with this at home and this is what we have going on in our family that obviously we don't want really anyone to know about, but we want the school to know about because you're with our child so many hours of the day. Speaker 1 That happens all the time that families call and say, we just want you to be aware that this is going on. Now, Counselor counselors can reach out to you and say, Hey, we have a family in need. They need. So let's talk about those needs. What are some things that FSD cares to support those families? Speaker 3 Goodness. So the basics of food. Okay. You know, sometimes it's just a matter of needing some groceries to get through. We've helped with some different medical, unique medical situations. We had a student who needed a specific leg brace and it was very expensive and it was really cost prohibitive. And so we were able to negotiate with the company that provided it. Speaker 3 And, you know, it just it's just an extra arm of support there. We've helped with rental assistance. We've helped with childcare, we have helped with utilities. Sometimes it's just a matter of providing referrals for, you know, other organizations or, you know, places that are able to meet some of these felt needs that our families have. I mean, you know, in the freeze we went and handed out heaters to some of the families we knew that didn't have sufficient heat resources. Speaker 3 You know, it's just. Speaker 1 It's. Speaker 3 Everything. It's everything. And you never know what the next, you know, challenge or, you know, will bring. But we're pretty well you adaptable. Speaker 1 Absolutely. You had started with food. And one of the things that I had never even known about and I was so glad that you had just talked about in your your last meeting was you'll have your set up a blessing box. Now, do you just have one blessing box here in Friendswood? Speaker 3 There are two Blessing box. There are two. We only maintain one. There's another one by the senior center. I understand. Speaker 1 That's right. Speaker 3 Okay. So it was a group of Girl Scouts that approached us, and so they built them as their their project. Yes. I can't the gold project or something like that. And but they needed us to maintain one of them. And so we maintain the one that's off of Woodlawn. Speaker 2 Yeah. Well one there. Speaker 3 Casey Lindsay knows all the details. And so we just kind of make sure that everything in there is good. The people aren't leaving grow stuff, so we throw it away. Yeah. Speaker 1 And that's at the fire fire station. Speaker 2 Fire station on the. Speaker 1 Corner, Right on the corner. So if you're driving by, it is, it's essentially located right there where you could pull in and add canned goods. I'm assuming it's just pretty much canned goods and boxed goods. Speaker 2 It is. And hygiene supplies, supplies. Speaker 3 Something that we do. You, Lindsay, just got the the stuff to do it. We're going to put together like one laundry pod with one dryer sheet. So it's enough for a load of laundry because we don't it's not big enough to hold like a big thing of laundry detergent. But. Okay, now let's go to Janine now. Speaker 2 Okay. I if I remember correctly, I think I attended an event of yours last year and y'all talked about is y'all honored our maintenance department. So do you want to talk about that a little bit? Well. Speaker 3 Our Southeast Texas weather basically knocked the original blessing box and it just pretty much obliterated it. And so we were in a little bit of panic because we know that is very, very utilized. And so J.T. and his team were like, yes, we've got this and rebuilt it and we have had no problem since. So I think we needed, you know, some some engineering type minds to figure. Speaker 2 Out how to. Speaker 3 Keep it standing. So, yeah, it's it's great. And we're hoping to install another one. So hopefully we'll have a second one somewhere near Westwood Bales within the next few months. Speaker 1 Let's go. Jason Yeah, also. Speaker 3 At the Friendswood Library. Yeah, they just approached us because of the meeting. You were at the library and they, they're like, Hey, could we put one here? And we're like, Yes, we can. You know, one stop shop for families over the summer especially. So we're excited. Speaker 1 Well, that's a great idea. You know, we have a couple of things coming into my head. We have our day of service coming up. April 19th. Speaker 2 Yes, it's a Friday this year. It's a Friday. Let me just and I'd say, yeah, it's the 19th. Speaker 1 Yeah. So that would be whether there's a group maybe interested in building a blessing box or if there's a group that wants to take on a blessing box, maybe for a month. Just make sure that the supplies are there or we would love for you to give us a call or give FSD care's an email or a call and we can set you up talking through that a little bit more. Speaker 1 Hey, to put your either one of you on the spot, but we do have that day coming up. Are there other initiatives, Are there other things and places that groups could go or things that people could do to help Feisty Cares or the alliance that's coming up? I know that's kind of hard. Speaker 3 I think the blessing boxes are really good actionable item because especially we're starting to look at some are coming and that's really tough because we've got families who may qualify for free and reduced lunch here and feisty and so that's breakfast and lunch every day and then all of a sudden you don't have it. Now there is a program to the Galveston County Food Bank that we're going to sort of partner with, friends with library and the food bank to sort of make sure that those families have some other resources that get them through the summer. Speaker 3 But, you know, sometimes it's just about the end of the month and all of a sudden you're like, oh, how do I feed a crowd? You know? And so pretty big staples, you know, rice and beans and flour and, you know, just things like that. And also, you know, we've talked about this a lot. I think a lot of people don't realize, like, even if you get food stamps, that's food. Speaker 3 But it isn't toilet paper, it isn't shampoo, it is deodorant, essential papers, and it isn't, you know, And so, you know, having those other essentials can also help families kind of spread their their resources a little bit. But we would love it if somebody wants to partner and help us get one built at the library, because we definitely have the the green light for that one or even maybe do a food drive to sort of replenish the pantries. Speaker 3 We're all about it. So now whether it be they could. Speaker 1 Reach out to first, either reach out to us or reach out to foster cares and we'll make sure people get set up. They'll take clothes or clothes of interest. I mean, I know a lot of donation centers have started saying stop sending clothes because clothes seem to be in abundance books. I'm trying to think just outside the box a little bit. Speaker 1 We do it. Do you do a school supply drive? Speaker 3 We do. So we don't take anything like no use clothes. There are times we may ask for new clothes that we can give, but. Speaker 1 Just. Speaker 3 The maintenance of that is is just overwhelming. So we do have a space at friends or junior high where we're able to store some of these items, but clothes just are a little bit more than we're able to take on right now. But we can refer families to other places like the Assistance League does clothes for some of our kiddos to go back to school. Speaker 3 So we do school supplies. It's called Mustang Ready. And so any kid on our caseload or a new referral from one of the counselors, we actually go to the website and we look at the school supply list for that grade and that school. And those are the exact things that that child has to take with them on the first day of school. Speaker 3 And so if you are interested, you know, we we have a place to store those and we will put them to good use in August. But we do try to focus on giving teachers the brands that they ask for. So if they ask for Elmer's Glue, we give them Elmer's glue. If they ask for Ticonderoga, we give them that because there's a reason that they want some of those brands and we don't want it to end up being sort of a problem for teachers because they don't have all the supplies they need for their classrooms. Speaker 3 And so we try very hard to be, you know, just like all the parents are scouring for the red plastic folder with prongs, we're out there, too. Speaker 1 So I thought that was that was interesting. You know, I'll be very transparent whenever you said in your meeting, and I don't know if it was for Mustang Santa or if it were just for the supplies specifically, But you said that there was a kid that said something about getting the real glue or the good glue. The good glue. Speaker 1 You know, when I think about donating, I really get I just get the cheapest and I just think, well, this will work. And listen, I'm it's terrible that I'm saying that, but it's just like, well, they need it and it doesn't matter the name brand, but you know to kids it does. Speaker 3 It does take hours to. Speaker 1 Do and it does to teachers like it says a lot about just they want the same brand that it's. Speaker 2 Equity. Yes. Equity, Yes. Speaker 1 And all their friends have. And so it was kind of a light bulb that went off site. Of course they do. They want what all their friends and every, you know, their peers have. So that was a great reminder in that moment. So so let's talk about that for a second, because I know we're about to get into Mustang Santa. Speaker 1 But when you know that a family needs something and it seems to happen more at Christmas time or in my mind it happens more at Christmas time. But I'm sure there are families year round that need that need help. How is it that you go about saying, okay, we have a family that needs X, Y, and Z? How is it that you put out kind of the signal that, hey, we're we're needing some help here? Speaker 2 So typically whenever the family reaches out to us and is expressing their needs of what they need, typically we if we don't have a resource to give them, we send out a mass email or we post on social media, okay, say, hey, we have a family in need of this or a mattress or something like that. And then usually the community is like so generous, so, so reach out to us and say, Hey, I would love to do this for the family. Speaker 2 Okay. Speaker 1 Just a good reminder. You know, if you're listening to this and you're like, Hey, I need to be on a list of some sort, feel free, you know, to email us, email Amanda or Lindsay at FARC Cares. And that can just be maybe someone that kind of it's like whenever you put out an email or something, we have. Speaker 2 A we have a distribution list specifically for needs. And if I was perfect. And so that is the email list that goes out with any need that we come across that we need to get filled for this family. And so you're more than welcome to be put on the list to receive the emails. Speaker 3 And we also just so people understand we have some governance in place too. We have an advisory committee that sort of oversees that. The funds in and out for Feisty Cares. It's made up of citizens here in a feisty most or I guess all of them have kids here in the district. And so it's been really great to get to know them and sort of I think they've been enlightened by the project and seen some of the need, but it's been a really great partnership and we're looking for I think we'll talk about this, but we're going to expand a little bit over the course of the next year. Speaker 3 And so just in case anybody was wondering, like we definitely have, you know, some some boots on the ground that are helping, you know, make sure that we are good stewards of the money entrusted to us for feisty students. Speaker 1 So let's talk about Mustang Santa that comes around. It's really it's at Christmas time. But when do you start? Because I know Kelsey and I've enjoyed every year going and helping to wrap all the the gifts. I'm blown away, honestly. How many families I guess, that you serve and then the great gifts. Speaker 2 Really great gifts. Speaker 1 Really great gifts that are given to the families. I mean, y'all go all out and make sure that, you know, their needs are are covered, not just with with things that are necessities, but really things that they want, you know, which are just important. It's kind of like making sure they have the good glue. Tell us a little bit about Mustang Santa. Speaker 3 Well, I think, you know, we started in April of 2020 and we saw there was a need, you know, for school supplies. And so we jumped in there. And then it was pretty quickly evident that some of our families would not recover enough to be able to really do Christmas for their kids. And so we have just continued. Speaker 3 In fact, last year was the most families we've served. Speaker 1 How many. Speaker 3 Families think Santa. Speaker 2 We serve? 32 families and 81 students. Okay. Speaker 3 Wow. So that's a lot. That's and, you know, we have a set amount of money depending on age. The Maxes is 150. But man, we are bargain shoppers and we work really hard to make sure that we, you know, we have a questionnaire about what they like and their interests and things like that. Now, I will tell you the two places that I will generally go over budget and one is a bicycle and two is a laptop, because I think both things give kids the opportunity to go beyond their their four walls. Speaker 3 And so I feel like those things are investments in a kid, but we also do hygiene supplies and we do socks, pajamas, underwear because, you know, those are expensive. And if you if you've bought those recently for your kids, you realize that even going to Target or Walmart will set you back quite a bit of money. And so just trying to make sure everybody has their own clean new things to start a year fresh and it's been cool. Speaker 3 We've gotten so many notes from families because we try to personalize each gift to to the child so that the parent can can give those gifts with confidence that the child never has to know They did not come from them. And it's been it's been great like it's been great to follow these kids over the last four years to. Speaker 1 Has have you seen that feisty cares? Do you collaborate, I guess, with businesses, with local businesses? Do you need more of that? Speaker 3 Oh, yes, we need more of that. Now. I would say we don't do as good of a job as we could to some extent. You know, now we have wonderful partners like McCree Ford who will step up and sponsor several families. And and that's amazing. But if we had more folks like that, it would help us, definitely. We almost covered our entire expenses for missing Santa this year. Speaker 3 I think we were, you know, something like $500 under, you know, we're budget or something like that. But and people say, how could you go over budget? And I'm like, because I'm not those kids come first. And so we're going to make sure that all of those needs are met. We will, through upcoming fundraisers, fill in the gaps. Speaker 3 But those needs happen right now. And so, you know, I think no matter what a parent's situation is or their choices are, the magical Christmas is really special and I want all kids. And that means even teenagers to feel that love just as much as their peers do. Speaker 2 Now, I remember your first of all, I thought it was super cute. I don't know if this has happened every year and I've just not noticed. But I loved how each family had a name like The Jingle Family. The Holly family like that was. That was really cute. But on social media, yo yo, I would put posts out saying, okay, we have these families left that need to get sponsored. Speaker 2 So just in the future, if anyone who's listening right now would like to see those types of things, what is your what is your handle like when you have Facebook and it's just under five stickers? Yes. Okay. And then is that the only platform it is? Speaker 3 That and our website, which is FIA stickers. Speaker 2 Okay. Yeah, I just thought that was that was cute and that was, I think, helpful. And I think people can get competitive in a way like, okay, there's only three left. You know, people want to like jump in and make that happen. So I've even. Speaker 3 Seen, you know, some of our larger families, it's just more expensive. And so we've seen several families go in together to sponsor. We've had departments here in the district who've done the same. And so just being able to think outside the box, maybe I can't sponsor an entire family, but can I, you know, partner with my family? And maybe we do that as part of our Christmas to each other and extended family. Speaker 3 But it's a great way and hopefully it gives people feel good feelings. And of course, then we invite the community to come and help us wrap gifts. Absolutely. Because there are a lot of gifts to be wrapped every here. Speaker 1 There are a lot of gifts. I'm always amazed to have. Speaker 2 So many gifts, but it's always fun. I feel like I'll make it super fun for everybody to come out and and do that. So great job. Speaker 3 Thank you. Thank you. Speaker 1 Let's talk future goals. So what are some future goals and initiatives that you have, you know, going on? Coming up, how you want to expand. Let's talk through that. Speaker 3 Well, we've got most things in motion. It's a brand new program. We have a couple of families were piloting right now. But the idea is to connect families. And I feisty who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it with extracurricular activities. And so it isn't necessarily families who are struggling or would ever need support for their daily needs. Speaker 3 But, you know, extracurricular activities can can get really expensive. And so we are working with community organizations, whether it be someone sports or local football or Tar Dance Academy. Short term. Yes. We've also been in talks with the Friendswood community, Ed, So just talking about ways that we can plug in to things that are here and work in partnership with them to connect these kids to different activities that might interest them, and then also ensure that they have all the supplies they need because it's, you know, it's great if they can go take dance lessons, but they also have to have the little tights and the shoes and, you know, so Lindsay's been working really Speaker 3 hard and would love any other community organizations who want to be a part of that and partner with us. We have just a simple agreement that we kind of put together, and I think it's going to be really great because I think the more we can help kids stay connected to something outside of just their daily routine, I think that, you know, you're talking about that social emotional piece and and giving them sort of skills to cope with life stressors. Speaker 1 And tell me what that's called, again. Speaker 2 Mustangs in motion. Speaker 1 Mustangs in Motion. Speaker 2 And I know like it's definitely linked to the more involved kids are, the less likely they are to get in trouble. And I know one big thing you'll hear about is like drug use prevention, alcohol use prevention, which I don't know if we like talked fully about that, but y'all have actually hosted parent power sessions with friends with RC, and it was especially the fentanyl one. Speaker 2 Y'all actually gave out Narcan so impressed by that. Speaker 3 We did. And you know, it's it was a it was really an incredible turnout. Your community obviously cares about kids and, you know, concerned about the challenges that their kids may face. It was a great conversation and it resulted in you to be providing Narcan for all of our or a standing order for Narcan, for all of our nurses in schools and Galveston County, which is just huge and it free. Speaker 3 But who doesn't know? Narcan is an antidote to an opioid overdose. And so it saves lives. Absolutely. That's just the simplest way to put it. It is you know, works similar to an EpiPen or an IED and the fact that it is a life saving measure. And so having those on our campuses, I think, you know, we hope that that will never, ever be needed. Speaker 3 But it's that just in case peace. Right. Speaker 1 And so Well, it was eye opening to me when that mother who spoke, who had lost her daughter, said that it was a poisoning because her daughter didn't take the drug. She didn't know fentanyl was in it. Yeah. And it was it is kind of an eye opener. Now, I'm not saying because socially acceptable, some drugs are okay. Speaker 1 And fentanyl snot, which is kind of what that sounds like. But we do know that kids experiment and they may try to take a drug that they, you know. Speaker 2 They think is safer. Speaker 1 They think is safer. Speaker 2 But I think also in that I think it was maybe the the doctor or someone who was there was talking about like that. It's like the amount of the end of a pin that can kill somebody like that. I mean, when you think about that, like that is just like insane. Just how little like in and what a waste, you know, just what a waste of life whenever someone passes of something like that. Speaker 2 So just very informative. I mean, I felt like that was kind of the peak of things being reported in the news when you all hosted that. And I still learned a ton attending that session. Speaker 3 Well, I think, you know, and just our ability to bring partners together like you to be and the drug Enforcement Administration and and just having those folks at the table. So you're not just hearing from us, you're hearing from the experts. And so we love being able to partner with those that we work with on a regular basis to be able to bring information about the things that are most pressing. Speaker 3 Mm hmm. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 Okay. So let's keep talking about initiatives and things that are coming up, how you're building and expanding, what else. Speaker 3 I think you need to talk about our first ever fundraising event. Speaker 2 One, I'm excited about this one. So our first fundraising event that is specifically benefiting FRC Cares is bingo. Yes, it's hosted at Mary Queen Catholic Church on Monday, April 22nd. I think doors are going to open at 6 to 630, but we're opening at six. Okay. And it's until nine and it's going to be so much fun. Speaker 1 So tell everyone kind of what is involved. What it's not just bingo. Speaker 2 It's bags and bottles and bingo. Speaker 1 Okay. So tell us what. Speaker 2 So there'll be six rounds of designer bags you can win, and then there will be four rounds of high end liquor bottles that you can win. Speaker 1 And we did that because men kind of were interested in purses. Yes. Well, that's why we have. Speaker 2 This specific. Speaker 3 Request for women on our advisory committee. They are like, let's, you know, have something in it for us. Speaker 1 We want to be involved also. And so let's get something that we may be interested in. So, okay, so good. So we'll have the round. You'll play bingo. And then how does that work? Did they if you win bingo, do you get to go up and pick or you had each thing chosen for that. Round. Speaker 3 Round has a designated item. Speaker 2 God. Oh man. Could end up with a bag. Speaker 3 Yes, they could. Speaker 1 Buy it and vice versa. Cheers. Could end up with a bottle. Okay, That would. Speaker 3 Be okay. Yeah. I think what's really fun about it is that we you when you register, if you buy your ticket, you get one set of bingo cards. But if you see a purse that you're like, Ooh, I really want that. You could buy extra bingo cards just for that round so that you increase your odds, right? So it's really fun. Speaker 3 It's, it's, I think it's going to I just think it's going to be a lot of fun. We are working with locals to provide food and. Wow. Right. Speaker 1 Okay. Speaker 3 Right. That's that's a selling point. Yeah. And we also raffle. Some of the purses are amazing. Speaker 2 So I was going to say there's one. What's the value on. And you advertise. Speaker 3 That we have one that's it's a 1700 dollar Alexander McQueen and it's. Speaker 2 Okay. Speaker 3 Gorgeous gorgeous. And so I will say like we don't have any purses that look like everybody's purse. They're all high end designers, but they're all really unique, beautiful purses. We have a gorgeous Kelly Tuck bag. It is. It smells like it's just. Speaker 1 So I have a funny story about my Kelly took bags that I've shared. Speaker 2 Share. Share. Speaker 1 I love this story. So I went I was invited to have a friend whose family member had brain cancer and it was at a local not local. It was at a bike bar in LA. Speaker 2 Marc Interesting. Speaker 1 Yes. So but it was from Pasadena. Speaker 2 Folks in. Speaker 1 Pasadena. So it felt right at home walking into this bike ride. I'm just kidding. But I go in and it was. Speaker 3 Let's just say, a. Speaker 1 Little different crowd, just a little different. Right. I know. No big deal. Speaker 2 No excited about getting the purses. That bingo is the kind of ground we're talking about here. Speaker 1 Yeah, exactly. So they worked on. I'm trying to figure out how to say this. There were a lot of different things that you could, you know, silent auction and hmm, there was a Kelly took a large duffle at this bike bar. No one cared about it, so I knew I was going to have to bid on it. So I knew I had a really good chance to win. Speaker 1 And it came up that, okay, now we're going to Kelly took. But there were all these men did not care about this purse. I got it in this bike. Why I was so excited. I was screaming. I was jumping up and down and there were all these people like, Who cares about a bag? But I was so fired up. Speaker 1 So that's my little Kelly took. Oh, I guess she was nice enough to donate that bag for that. And I benefited from it. Of course, the person that the benefit in itself from the money. But yeah that's my Kelly took my life story That's that's the way that I have my I'm pretty. Speaker 3 Excited I mean I think it's been fun to explore the world of bags and. Speaker 2 Oh I'm sure I'm assuming my so my mom actually works for the Education Foundation for Alvin or Estee. Oh, okay. And so growing up, like all their fund raisers, we were never allowed to, like, participate. Right. Like conflict of interest there. So is it is it a little heartbreaking, a little bit that you see these purses knowing you won't have a chance? Speaker 2 I know. Speaker 3 I think a little. Speaker 2 Bit more than a little bit, but. Speaker 3 I think at least as with bingo, like, you know, I think her future mother in law is going to be joining us. And so if she wins, great. Because it's hard to cheat on bingo because it's right there. Right. And yes, there. So I think it's a lot of fun. We're going to have a lot of door prizes and just a lot of chances to win something. Speaker 3 And we have a few surprises up our sleeves, too. Speaker 1 So it's a mary Queen. It is. Okay. So if someone's interested in getting a ticket, it's going online. FISA, FISA, Cars.com. Yep. And you'll find the bingo, click on that. And there are all these different ways you can sponsor table. Yes, absolutely. And just buy individual tickets. Yes. Speaker 3 And we would love some more sponsors. Is that obviously is what contributes to actually making money. But we have somewhere about 36 tickets left. So. Speaker 2 Oh, yeah, we are We need you know I still have the time pulled that we were talking about it like, though. Oh, we need to get you your tickets. So yes, especially now you've like, really sold me here 36 tickets. Speaker 3 36 to surprise you two really excited. Speaker 1 Okay, that's. Speaker 2 Fine. I'll buy three. Speaker 3 I think my big hint is Friendswood blue. There's my hand. Speaker 2 And speaking of friends in blue, I have to comment on, I think. Do you all intentionally wear blue every time you all are here? As Sometimes. Sometimes I really feel like I see y'all in like the Friendswood blue every time y'all come. And I'm like, I feel like that is intentional. Like that spirited right there. Well, you're both in. Speaker 3 Blue every time. If I am at a meeting or something with that and he introduces me every time he points out that I'm wearing friends with blue. Speaker 2 Yes. Speaker 3 So I cannot disappoint. In the first. Speaker 2 Time. That would be a letdown. The first time he ever met me, he was like, I can't wait to get you in some friends with Blue. So it's ingrained. It's a kind of force, but it's nice. Speaker 3 I think blue is my color, so it doesn't it's not you know, it's not. Speaker 1 That hard to get in it. So let's talk about I think you'll have a dodge ball. Do we want to talk about that yet or is there something else to talk about? Speaker 3 Let's let's table that for. Speaker 1 Okay. Let's we will keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting until you hear about that. Speaker 2 About you. We just meaning that. Speaker 1 Yeah. So anything else coming up? Speaker 3 You know, something that's really exciting. It's like one of my favorite events every year, and it's our annual meeting, and that's probably where Kelsey saw the folks from. Friends would mean friends, honesty, maintenance being recognized. But that meeting is on May 3rd. Okay. It is at the Webster Civic Center. It's free to attend. We also have sponsorship opportunities for that. Speaker 3 But, you. Speaker 1 Know, once again, sure. I mean, is the bags and bottle bingo? Speaker 3 It is on April 20, 22nd. Speaker 1 April 22nd. Okay. Speaker 3 So it's a monday evening. Speaker 1 Okay. Monday evening because you. Speaker 2 Know there isn't that are a lot of the classes cool. Speaker 1 Is April 22nd. Speaker 2 No no yeah annual meeting I think just like this whole gotcha class. Speaker 3 Oh, well, pretty sure we are super excited because we're recognizing all of our FEC cares partners that did this exciting projects with us last year called Andy Sunday and they they might have laughed a little bit, but they also were like, okay, how can we help? And so it was churches. And then Tara Christian Dance Academy, they signed up and said, Hey, let's get our congregations involved. Speaker 3 And they helped. They collected socks, underwear and PJs that we were able to then wrap and, you know, gift to students on our feisty cares caseload. And I mean, it's such a great thing because and then an inaugural project can sometimes be a little and they jumped in like totally jumped on. I just can't even tell y'all how amazing it was. Speaker 3 And so we're recognizing each of those churches. Plus, there is an organization at Hope Lutheran Church. It's called Hope Urgent Response Team. It's headed up by a woman named Margie Riley. And they man, when you talk about school supplies that are the brands, that's what they bring. They're all in. I mean, all in. Yeah. If we have a family that needs utilities, they'll, you know, jump in and figure out how to help us. Speaker 3 And so it's really great to be able to to sort of recognize some of these friends would area champions that really do care about our kids and they don't just talk about it, but they show up for it. And so if anybody wants to join us for that meeting, it's 1130 to 1 on May 23rd. We're super excited. Speaker 3 We're also just speaking about the Sentinel thing. We're also recognizing you YouTube, because I think that's huge, just being so responsive. So we had an anesthesiologist that was at that event and I talked to her there and I said, Do you realize that the only thing standing in the way of schools, local schools, having Narcan is a standing physician's order? Speaker 3 We hadn't been able to really find a physician willing to do that. And she was like, you mean we're the problem? And I was like, well, you know. Speaker 1 Basically, I think. Speaker 2 Within two days. Speaker 3 Within two days, YouTube had had reached out to every superintendent in Galveston County saying, this is what we want to do for you. And I think that's bold. Yeah, because that sees a problem, sees we can be part of the solution. Let's make this happen. And so we're super excited to be able to recognize them because I, I just feel safer. Speaker 3 I feel like I feel so much better knowing that our kids are, you know, there's just something there in case somebody just like you said, in case a kid makes the unwise choice to experiment with something or things, they're taking something that was prescribed by a physician and it wasn't. Speaker 2 Now, one thing I don't think we've touched on that you'll also do is those prescription medication drives. So do you all want to talk about that a little bit? Speaker 3 Sure do, because we have one coming up on April 27th here actually at the annex. We're just at the Port of Caché, under the port to say in front of the tax office. And from tended to and people can bring their old expired medications. And we partner with the DEA and Friendswood PD and we get those taken care of out of people's medicine cabinets, out of the hands of kids. Speaker 3 And we've collected just in this sort of area, including here and sort of Clear Lake League City, Kemah, we've collected over £35,000 of medications, which is just amazing, believable. Yeah. Especially when you think about a pill like. Yes. So if you are interested, please join us. It's just easy. It's drop off. You don't have to get out of your car so you can just do it, you know, on your Saturday running errands. Speaker 3 But we just have. Speaker 1 A bag and then you would literally hand the bag. Speaker 3 Over. Okay. And then Lindsay can tell you a little bit about something. If you can't make it that day. We have medication disposal pouches. Speaker 2 And medication disposal pouches are just little pouches. And you can pour a bottle of pills or one and the bigger one or you can pour. We have little ones that you can pour inside the pill casing, shake it up, and then you can throw it away in your trash. And it has an interactive agent within the pouch that cancels out the things that make the water bad. Speaker 2 Right. Throw them away in the trash or if you dump them in the toilet. Speaker 1 Okay, That's good. Speaker 3 It neutralizes them. And it's it's really an amazing technology. Yeah. So we have these larger penalties that you can put like an up to 90 pills in or we have these little ones that she was talking about and you just empty the contents of it into a pill bottle with some water and shake it up. So you tell us how many pills you need to get rid of and we will connect you with another option that you write to get the job done. Speaker 3 So those are free. And we're also always looking for like realtors that want to partner on that project, because I think it's a great thing for families who are selling a home that they don't leave those things in a medicine cabinet when people are coming to look as a particularly as a potential buyer. And so, you know, if there are realtors out there that are interested, again, they're free. Speaker 3 We just want to get this technology in the hands of the people that need it. Speaker 1 Good to know what what else are we missing? Anything else coming up that we want everyone to know about? Speaker 2 Yes, we are actually having our next coffee in collaboration meeting. It'll be on June 6th from 930 to 1030. So we would love to have everyone come out. Speaker 3 And where will we be? Speaker 2 We will be at the boardroom, the feisty boardroom. Speaker 1 Okay, good to know. Speaker 3 Our last meeting was fantastic. We had over 700 sales. Speaker 2 Yes. Yeah. Speaker 3 And we we are happy to provide coffee and we need to bring the collaboration to really figure out how we, you know, work together. But it was great to see Peatos and different businesses and health care and pastors and just man some some good allies, the alumni. I mean, that was also huge. And everybody sort of figuring out how they play a role in really securing the future for our kids. Speaker 3 People ask me a lot about like, how are we different from the ED Foundation? And this is this is what I Tell People and Foundation is really tasked with helping instruction, improving classroom opportunities for kids. The feisty cares in the alliance, they're more the support for the social emotional needs of our kids. And to me it's really important that we focus on both and that the community is involved in what we're doing to sort of shore up our kids because like Dana said, during COVID, I think we saw there was just a really it just put this extra taxation on our kids of their. Speaker 1 Parents and. Speaker 3 All. Yeah. And so how how do we go about helping them? And so we're super excited about the possibilities right now. Like I said earlier, we do an evidence based curriculum. We're on every campus and feisty, but just shoring up the some of those skills, you know how to be a good friend. Goodness, I could use that reminder a thousand times in middle school. Speaker 3 Right? Like was brutal. So just to have another caring adult who comes in and, you know, kind of wraps their arms around you. And so I love it. We have a lot of different facilitators that work in our department. And man, we just we just love kids. Speaker 1 Amanda, That's a great reminder. And I just want to give a shout out to public schools in general. You know, it used to be send your kids to school, to to read, to write, you know, learn math. I don't know. I'm getting upset, but schools take care of communities now with groups like API is who cares with Education Foundation, I guess I get upset because I've had a lot of conversations lately with public schools and and getting a bad rap and so, hey, give me one second. Speaker 1 Educators are in this because we love kids and and instruction is important, but we care about just their families. We care about how their parents, when their parents are can't put food on the table. We have counselors that step up and feisty cares, steps up. An education foundation, tries to make teaching exciting. And we know that. We try to teach parents, you know, power sessions because their social emotional wellbeing and their their addictions matter and because it affects the entire community and I guess it's just overwhelming to hear how many people kind of come together, you know, because we love kids So well. Speaker 3 And I think we can never, ever we will never know how many kids lives are changed and saved through public education. Speaker 1 Absolutely. Speaker 3 Mean safe space. Yeah. Speaker 1 There and they're spending more time in school than they do. And, you know, we just we mouthed off about, oh, this is what's wrong with public education or my kids do this. They there's so much that goes into raising children and it's not there's just so much and and there are so many there are hundreds of employees that they give they give more to their kids than, frankly, they do to their families a lot of the time. Speaker 1 So it's you know, it's frustrating. Anyhow, what were we talking about? Sorry about that. Speaker 2 But I know. Speaker 3 I think it's huge. Yeah. I mean, I. Speaker 2 Was I was a. Speaker 3 Foster parent. And, you know, I think a lot of my kids, before they ended up in my house, obviously things were not okay at home. And they, like school was their safe place. Yeah, that was where actually they ended up getting help because they cried out to somebody at school that cared enough to to stay on hold with CPS for 24 hours. Speaker 3 But, you know, I think also just that caring individual, you just don't know what kind of impact a positive teacher has on a student. Speaker 1 Yeah, I was support staff or principal or nurse counselor or you know, it's just amazing the number of individuals and it goes along with 50 cares and the groups that we have that pour into our community in schools. It's it's amazing and it's a beautiful, beautiful, you know thing. So looking at Annelise, do we have any other events? Speaker 1 Because I've made a list of y'all. So that's it? Speaker 2 I think that's. Speaker 1 So, you know, listen to this for a second. So we have committees here with FIA stickers, We have Mustang Santa Mustang ready, which is Supplies Mustangs in Motion, which is supporting financially those kids that want to participate in extracurricular events. We have drug prevention lessons, which is a lot of parent power sessions. We have prescription giveback, April 27th, bags and bottles, Bingo That's April 22nd annual meeting, which is May 23rd that we have coming up. Speaker 1 Get involved and coffee and collaborations, June 6th. Let me just say this, by the way, like when when we put on a committee meeting or a group meeting and we have breakfast, like we serve breakfast, it's so sad. Like we have like eight donut holes and so we don't. Speaker 2 Have. Speaker 1 Enough like mighty used to do with that one being that we on that as FIA stickers has a spread. So if you come to these things, man, you are getting fed for sure. That's true. When all the good stuff So just so many ways that you can get involved. If you would like to reach out to us, we have a let's chat with us on all of our web pages. Speaker 1 Say, hey, I didn't get all the information. Can you send it? We'll make sure we put out in social media a list of all the ways that that people can get involved with Fiesta Cares and just look forward to continuing to support FIA stickers and everything that you do. And yeah, so and. Speaker 2 I'll just say like the name is so fitting. Like if I see cares, like just because of how big your hearts are and how much you care for students and families and you have this understanding and no judgment of the needs that you're meeting. And I just think it's such a beautiful thing. I think you're doing the Lord's work and we just commend you so for for all that you do for our kids. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 3 Thank you. Thank you, class. Yes. So the meeting you're talking about, our last coffin collaboration, we actually had one of the moms that has been on our caseload had some serious health issues with a child and had the child with them. And was able to tell us that not only have things turned around that the child no longer needed the financial support, but also dad got a better job and now they want to figure out how to pour back into feisty care's perfect. Speaker 3 So, I mean, it's just you know, it was well that it was to make. Speaker 1 Sure that that I don't think I realized either. A lot of times families come in, you help support them. They're back on their feet, they're out there, they're moving, and then they can be a testimony and then they come in and help support. So I actually happened to walk over to that mother and just said, Tell me how you're involved. Speaker 1 And she said, Well, I was supported, you know, by by this group. And it means so much to me. And so that's why I'm here, which I thought was beautiful. Yeah. Beautiful thing. Speaker 3 So awesome being part of it. Speaker 1 Well, you'll do a great job and we appreciate everything that you do and. Speaker 3 Yeah, thanks for having us. Speaker 1 Absolutely. Thank you. All.