January 25 – The holiday season in Sunnyside was just a bit brighter thanks to a toy drive sponsored by the South Union Community Development Corporation (South Union CDC) and the Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) Healthy Houston Initiative (HHI).
The event was held on Dec. 20 in the Sunnyside community. More than 400 children, students, and adults participated and received a free meal and toys. Raffle prizes such as bicycles and technology products were given away, and a $15,000 scholarship was awarded to a PVAMU student majoring in Agriculture.
The event also served as an opportunity for the Healthy Houston Initiative to share program goals and information with Sunnyside residents. Families interested in the Healthy Houston Initiative signed up to receive information on future HHI programs.
For PVAMU Program Associate Chandra Adams, participating in the event allowed her to see the joy in the young participants’ eyes as they received gifts.
“Because of PVAMU’s presence, there were kids at the event inspired to attend PVAMU one day,” Adams said.
The event was attended by City of Houston District D Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz and Honorary “Mayor of Sunnyside” Sandra Massie Hines. Event supporters included Lemond Kitchen, Cool Runnings Jamaican, Action One Media Group, Yes Prep South, Alain Noel Photography, and other community members.
Nkem Anyasinti
Houston Healthy Initiative, Program Coordinator
ncyanyasinti@pvamu.edu
(713) 797-7034