This year’s Loving Angels annual school supply drive was bigger and better than ever.
The Loving Angels is a community service club at Watco’s Loving Terminal in Loving, New Mexico. This is the third year that the Team members have come together to donate school supplies to classrooms and students at Loving Elementary School.
“It is hoped that the supplies we donate will demonstrate to our neighbors that Loving’s students are important and that we want to help them to learn and grow,” said Terminal Manager David Elizalde.
At an assembly on October 11, 2017, Team members presented baskets containing pencils, crayons, rulers, paper, and more to the students.
“We are blessed to be able to show our community that we truly care,” said Elizalde. “And one of the best ways to do that is by supporting the schools.
The first year, baskets were donated to Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade classes. It was expanded last year to include head start and special education classes as well. This year, every classroom at Loving Elementary received a basket of supplies.
“This year, we redoubled our efforts and were able to present a full basket of supplies to all of the classrooms in the school,” Loving Angels coordinator Lea Meza said. “Indeed, the annual school supply drive is one of Loving Angels’ favorite projects. We’re definitely looking forward to next year.”
Loving Elementary Principal John Cook says nearly 75 percent of the school’s students come from low socio-economic conditions, with many living near or below the poverty line. Which is why the Loving Angels’ work means so much to the community, especially the teachers.
“School teachers are used to getting by with what they have, and a lot of them spend their own money on classroom supplies,” said Cook. “They don’t get many ‘atta boys.’ That’s what makes every teacher getting a basket of goodies so nice.”
In the past, the Team completed other projects like painting book shelves with a Dr. Seuss theme and filling them with books. They also gather ingredients for Thanksgiving dinners and donate them to families.
“There are three companies in town that move sand and Watco is the only one that helps. They go above and beyond, and that’s unusual for a company,” said Cook. “Those folks may be from a little depot in New Mexico, but they make a big difference.”