The Multi-Ethnic Education and Economic Development (MEED) Center proudly
sponsored the second annual Kids’ Fest on Thursday August 23, 2007 from
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Phuong Market Place. Tommi Lyle of the Dallas ISD,
the chairman of this year’s Planning Committee, kicked off the Kids’ Fest with
welcoming remarks. Other VIPs who attended include Jon Cannon, Senior Vice
President of FedEx Kinko’s and Galileo Jumao-as, Executive Director of the
MEED Center. Raymond Macias emceed the event.
Kids’ Fest provided first through third graders of four East Dallas schools
the chance to receive a backpack and school supplies. The MEED Center is
happy to announce that every child who attended the festival left with a
backpack filled with supplies. Each backpack contained spirals, folders,
crayons, markers, paper, pencils, rulers, glue sticks, and erasers.
The MEED Center provided surrounding schools with all the remaining backpacks
that were not distributed at the Kids’ Fest --- all totaled, four hundred fifty
backpacks were distributed to students in need.
The event was a festive affair that included entertainment, cultural activities
and informational booths. Posie the Clown provided balloons and face painting.
The “Activities Corner” was a hit with the children to play games and win prizes.
With the emcee giving instructions, they lined up for an egg and spoon race,
musical chairs, ring toss and guess the number of candies in a jar. Representatives
from the Dallas Museum of Art and the Crow Collection of Asian Art were on hand
to provide cultural craft activities, including the making of Chinese lanterns
and traditional fans. Attendees could also visit and receive gifts and information
from the Dallas Police Storefront, Dallas Police Department of Community Affairs,
New York Life, Eagle Scouts, Accurate Eye Care, Dental Dreams, Unicare Health Plans
of Texas, ReMax Premier Properties, FedEx Kinko’s, LAT TV, and Abate/Avalon Medical Clinic.
The MEED Center would like to thank our sponsors, donors and volunteers without whom the
Kids’ Fest would not have been possible; The Underwriter Sponsor: FedEx Kinko’s,
Gold Sponsor: Texas Instruments; and Silver Sponsors: Darden Restaurants and Exxon Mobil.
The following groups made large donations of school supplies: King Imports, Residents of
Southside on Lamar, East Dallas Church, and Express Energy Services. Other donations were
received from: The LopezGarcia Group, Wesco Distributions, Kroger Sachse, Dr. Anant Jain,
Audrey Shreshta, Malones Cost Plus, Target Medallion Center, Elna Morales Mallari,
Wendy Dyba, Tonya N. Mayberry, Academy Sports and Outdoors, and The Greater Dallas Asian
American Chamber of Commerce.
Special thanks go out to the Planning Committee, chaired by Tommi Lyle, for their time
and hard work. Three schools were represented on the committee: Elia Moore from James W Fannin,
Tonya Mayberry from Cesar Chavez L C, and Jesus Guzman from John F Kennedy elementary schools.
Other committee members include Kevin Lim and Bruce Khanhkham from East Dallas Police Storefront,
Chris M. Crow from Abate Medical Clinic, and Elna Mallari from CSP Architects. We would also
like to acknowledge the numerous volunteers who helped stuff the supplies into backpacks, showed
up early on the event day to set up the venue and clean up after.
- Toni Martinez, Event Coordinator
