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NEISD elementary students add special surprise to meal distribution for Raul Jiménez Thanksgiving Dinner

Traditionally, school district makes centerpieces, placemats for big feast

SAN ANTONIO – For years, Thanksgiving in Downtown San Antonio meant crowds of people along Market Street following the smell of turkey and stuffing. Due to the pandemic, this year the Henry B. Convention Center will be empty as the Raúl Jiménez Thanksgiving Dinner is going mobile.

Although there was no need to make centerpieces and placemats for the dinner this year, the North East Independent School District’s Visual Arts Director, Linda Fleetwood, still wanted to get elementary students involved in the community effort.

“We didn’t want to miss out just because the year is strange or because the year has limitations,” Fleetwood said. “What we’re trying to communicate is (that) we feel like we are part of the community and we love the Raúl Jiménez Thanksgiving Dinner.”

Fleetwood the district worked alongside the Jimenez family and came up with the idea for the children to create Thanksgiving cards that could be distributed along with the meals.

Stacks of boxes hold thousands of heartfelt creations made by the youngest and brightest minds at NEISD. IN partnership with the Raúl Jiménez Thanksgiving Dinner, the Thanksgiving cards will be gifted to seniors and individuals experiencing homelessness. (Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved.)

“We had one of our elementary art teachers design a lesson for us that would have a card on it,” Fleetwood said. “We literally have thousands of cards boxed up and ready to go. The children loved doing it, and our elementary teachers were excited about doing it.”

Anthony Buendía, a third grader at Castle Hills Elementary, said he felt happy after finishing his handmade and handwritten card to wish a stranger a happy Thanksgiving.

“I liked that we could decorate them and put a turkey inside,” Buendía said.

Anthony Buendia, a third grader at NEISD's Castle Hills Elementary said he felt happy after finishing his card to wish a stranger a Happy Thanksgiving. (Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved.)

Buendía said he’s excited for the holiday and thankful he’ll also have the same blessing that the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner will provide for thousands this year.

“I’m thankful that I’m going to eat a turkey,” Buendía said.

A week ahead of the distribution, the NEISD Central Office had a corner full of cards with google-eyed turkeys, colorful scarecrows, feathers made out of construction paper and some even included advice from the children.

One paper plate turkey’s feathers read, “Be grateful. Give thanks. Be kind. Be Genuine.”

One paper plate turkey’s feathers read, “Be grateful. Give thanks. Be kind. Be Genuine.” (Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved.)
NEISD elementary students make special surprise added to meal distribution for Raul Jiménez Thanksgiving Dinner (Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved.)

Tanya Sammis, spokesperson for the Raúl Jiménez Thanksgiving Dinner, was in charge of picking up the cards to ensure they’re given to the volunteers that will complete the meal drop-offs Thanksgiving Day.

“Looking through those cards really meant a lot because those kids come from that in innocence sense and the place of a child’s heart,” Sammis said. “It is more than a meal. It’s more than sustenance. We want to give this gratitude and thanks.”

Although earlier this month the organization announced they are at capacity in meal requests, they’re still accepting donations to cover the costs of meals.

To make a monetary donation, click here.

To learn more about the Raúl Jiménez Thanksgiving Dinner, click here.


About the Authors
Alicia Barrera headshot

Alicia Barrera is a KSAT 12 News reporter and anchor. She is also a co-host of the streaming show KSAT News Now. Alicia is a first-generation Mexican-American, fluent in both Spanish and English with a bachelor's degree from Our Lady of the Lake University. She enjoys reading books, traveling solo across Mexico and spending time with family.

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