By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
For 51 children in Athens ISD’s life skills classes, the holiday spirit was in full swing Monday, thanks to the Mostyn Moreno Foundation. The foundation’s “Christmas Lights” program provided $50 per student to be spent at Wal-Mart so students could select and purchase their own Christmas gifts. The shopping trip was followed up by a luncheon at the Lake Athens Marina Restaurant — with a guest appearance by a certain jolly old elf, who visited with the children despite his busy schedule. This is approximately the 10th year Athens ISD’s life skills students have been included in the program. Prior to the creation of the educational foundation (which now has 19 school districts included in the Christmas Lights program), Athens ISD was funded directly by Amber and Steve Mostyn.
“It was just wonderful to see the priceless smiles on the children’s faces” said Brooke Brock, director of special populations for the school district. “This annual shopping trip and lunch is a special time for everyone involved. We’re so grateful to the Mostyn Moreno Foundation.”
The children who participated were accompanied on the shopping excursion by several staff members, who subsequently marked each student’s purchases, bagged them up and then, back in the classrooms, helped wrap them to be taken home.
“What’s special about what we do is that we create a situation where the kids can learn from the experience,” said Foundation Executive Director Monte Osburn, who was present for the shopping trip and luncheon. “This gives children an opportunity to put into practice in a real-life situation some of the skills they are taught in class.”
The Mostyn Moreno Educational Foundation was created in 2006 by Houston trial lawyers Amber and Steve Mostyn to honor the memories of educator Glenda Jean Mostyn and state representative Joe Moreno. The foundation operates programs primarily in East Texas, Houston and the Gulf Coast region to serve and support children with special needs.