Every year, Permian High School’s Panther Paws dance team contributes to a cause around Christmas time. This year, the recipient is Communities in Schools on campus.
Thirty-three varsity and JV dancers bought in dozens of items each from coats and hair brushes to feminine hygiene products.
Assistant Coach Kayla Garza said they recently heard about the Pink Pantry, a partnership between Communities in Schools and the Junior League of Odessa to provide free feminine hygiene products to girls.
“I talked to Communities in Schools and they told us what was in need and so we asked our girls to bring at least five items, but a lot of them brought like 20-25 items. It was awesome,” Garza said.
Garza and Panther Paws Coach Kristin Carter went to the Merry Marketplace and heard a presentation about Pink Pantry.
“That’s when we realized that it was within Permian High School and that’s when I reached out to Communities in Schools here to (find) out more information),” Garza said.
In previous years, the Panther Paws have contributed to the Humane Society, West Texas Food Bank, Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center, Angel House and Jesus House and more.
Enedelia Ureta, Communities in Schools coordinator at PHS, said it is a mentoring and advocacy program.
“We’ve heard it all; seen it all, so nothing is too big or too small. We try to tackle everything. …,” Ureta said.
CIS is also in the middle and elementary schools.
Ureta spoke to the Panther Paws after they dropped their contributions in the CIS office.
“I’m very overwhelmed because this was a lot of stuff and you guys have a very big heart and we thank you and appreciate you for helping because sometimes you just don’t know what another student is carrying who walks right beside you each day in these halls,” Ureta said.
Jaiden Dansby, an 18-year-old senior, and Amaris Ramirez, a 17-year-old senior, have both been on Panther Paws for four years.
“I think it was important because I feel like other people need this and it’s important to take care of other people and support them with everything they need. We love helping out and supporting one another,” Dansby said.
Ramirez said it was heartwarming to give back to the school in this way.
“… We do a lot of for our school, so we’re very supportive of it. I’m excited that we’re able to be a part of it,” Ramirez added.
She said the supplies are important, especially for the people they don’t know that need the items.
“… You never know who’s going through something, so I think it’s very important for us to give out as much as we can to help,” Ramirez said.
Asked if she was surprised at how large the donation became, Ramirez said if they need something they are usually going to go over the top to give as much as they need to.
Ureta said they contributed jackets, coats, leggings, pants, hygiene products, hoodies and undergarments.
Garza said there are quite a few students in school who don’t know that there are people in need.
“I think it’s really beneficial for our girls to know that there are people walking next to them that are in need and that they can do something (as) little as buying a travel size of shampoo and means the world to somebody else,” she said.
