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Texas Border Business

By Roberto Hugo González | Texas Border Business

SAN JUAN, Texas — What began with 100 backpacks has grown into an annual community effort as the Shoot for the Stars Foundation, Inc. continues providing school supplies to children and families in the Rio Grande Valley.

The Zambrano family organizes the effort during their free time, working with Zambrano Law Firm employees, relatives, volunteers, and local agencies to prepare and distribute backpacks before the start of the school year.

Jorge Zambrano, President of the Shoot for the Stars Foundation and Chief Operating Officer of the Zambrano Law Firm, said the initiative began about ten years ago as the family searched for a way to give back to the community and encourage students to continue with their educational goals.

“The main goal has always been to give back to the community,” Jorge said. “We wanted to help families in times of need as students go back to school,” continued Zambrano. “We also wanted to motivate students to continue doing their best in school.”

The Backpack Giveaway began years ago with 100 backpacks, increased to 150, and has continued to grow over the years. Jorge said families now contact the organization in advance asking when the annual distribution will take place.

“Families in our community look forward to this event every year,” he said. “Around this time of the year, people call us asking when the backpack distribution is going to take place.”

This year’s event was held at the Zambrano Law Firm’s new location at 1801 N. Veterans Rd. in San Juan. In previous years, business partners provided facilities for the giveaway.

The backpacks included notebooks, loose-leaf paper, pencils, highlighters, folders, composition books, crayons, map colors, and other supplies intended for students from pre-K through high school.

Jesse Zambrano, Principal at Zambrano Law Firm, said the event involved approximately 100 volunteers, including family members, law firm employees, community volunteers and personnel from local government agencies.

“It’s a whole operation that requires a lot of people,” Jesse said.

He said preparation began about two months before the giveaway, including purchasing backpacks and supplies, assembling them, coordinating volunteers, and preparing the site. The final week required more intensive planning to ensure the distribution operated smoothly.

The Pharr Police Department and its Community Engagement Team also participated, bringing an enclosed trailer and the department’s Raspa Patrol, and provided free raspas to families attending the event, distributing more than 300.

Jorge also thanked the San Juan Police Department and Precinct 2 constables for helping patrol the area and direct traffic.

Jesse said the event’s purpose extends beyond providing school supplies.

“I believe education is the key to everything. Education is the greatest equalizer in our society,” he said. “Every school year represents a new beginning for our students, and we want these kids to know that we are behind them and support them,” Zambrano continued.

“Now more than ever, we need to support our schools,” he said.

Ariana Zambrano, Chief Financial Officer and a cofounder of the “Shoot for the Stars Foundation, Inc.” said the family has organized the effort for about 10 years and has expanded its community activities to include other events, including turkey distributions.

“In our family, we understand that giving back to the community is very meaningful,” she said. “That is why we make sure our own children participate in these events,” Ariana continued. “We are teaching our own children about the importance of giving back to the community.”

Ariana thanked Zambrano Law Firm employees, volunteers, sponsors, and family members for purchasing supplies, preparing backpacks, arriving early, and helping operate the event.

For our family, she said, one of the rewards remains simple — seeing children leave with smiles and backpacks ready for another school year.