Supporting our schools
One of my favorite ways to give back began 15 years ago when I adopted an elementary school on the North Side of Fort Worth. I go to the school during the year to support it in any way that I can.
Every year at this time, I give the students in the after-school running/walking club that I mentor a football or soccer ball. We throw and kick them around and have a lot of fun. I want them to stay active over the holidays. I remind them to keep running since many are signed up for the special Children’s 5K race sponsored by the Cowtown Marathon in February.
It was so sweet when several children came up to hug me. Others told me about their running progress and their plans for the holidays.
I participate in the school’s Career Day every year. I tell the children that they can succeed in any field if they stay in school and study hard. I pass around my college diploma from the University of Texas and tell them they can earn one too. I urge them to study to become an attorney, doctor, teacher, or whatever career their hearts desire. The looks on their faces and their questions are precious.
I started a Christmas Adopt A Family program. The school selects a family and my wife enjoys getting the clothes and toys that are on their list. We truly enjoy brightening Christmas morning for these families.
I have donated to the Mexican American College Endowment so that fifth graders receive money for college. They are eligible for more scholarships when they finish high school if they continue making good grades and meet other rigorous requirements.
I endowed a scholarship to help pay the tuition for Fort Worth college students who want to attend SMU Law School, where I graduated from 40 years ago.
Why do I do this? My parents always stressed that education was the key to achieving a good life and worked hard to make sure that all four of their children earned a college degree (and three of us continued on to get advanced degrees). I want our children to have every opportunity to succeed.
The impact of Boy Scouts
I also threw out footballs to the Boy Scouts who were meeting. I was surprised that I still could recite the Scout Oath, since I learned it over 50 years ago:
“On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
I told them that I had become an Eagle Scout when I was 13. I encouraged them to stay in Scouting and to work to become an Eagle. Scouting’s precepts, as old-fashioned as they may be, are a big part of my core values.
I enjoy supporting the Boy Scout program financially.
Why exercise is so important to me
I try to encourage all of our children to exercise, which is a passion of mine.
At the age of 65, I exercise every day, more than ever, so that I have the energy and strength I need to better represent my clients.
I am a coach for the Cowtown Marathon training group. I get up very early on Saturdays to lead long training runs. It was fun to run to meet other runners at the Christmas Tree in Sundance Square today and chat with Mayor Betsy Price.
Joy to the world
I want our Fort Worth children to be joyful, healthy, and succeed in life. I try to support and motivate them so that they will enjoy a brighter future.
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and to my Spanish-speaking friends and clients, I wish you a
