The Varnett School East earned a "SuperHero" status for its role in donating eight boxes of toys to the Houston Fire Department's Operation Stocking Stuffer program.
"The generosity of the citizens of this great city will never cease to amaze me," HFD Chief Samuel Pena said in a message to the 2019 holiday contributors. On behalf of the over 4,000 men and women of the Houston Fire Department, please accept our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to you...."
The East campus received a personal citation in the department's 48-page thank you document. On page 24, Varnett students and staff are featured in a color photo. "Gayle Voltz and the students and staff of The Varnett School in east Houston have collected hundreds of toys for many years to support Operation Stocking Stuffer. Thank you Gayle and everyone at The Varnett School for everything you do every year!"
Ms. Voltz said the campus has been contributors since she took over as campus director in 2010.
For many years, HFD along with business and community volunteers have worked together for one of the largest holiday toy drives in the City of Houston.
"I have witnessed the enormous growth of this toy drive first hand and I know it will continue to grow with your help," Chief Pena said. The department said that, despite challenges, it was able to serve more than 20,000 children in 2019.
In a show of gratitude for the East campus's continued support, HFD returned the favor by donating gifts to East campus students in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Mr. Paul Box, communications specialist supervisor for HFD's public affairs division, spearheaded a drive to collect gifts for the roughly 350 students who were displaced from school by the hurricane.