Shriner Toy Drive

Collected donations are presented to Shriner's Hospital by Cy-Fair AFT staff (L-R) Ben Brinkman, AFT organizer; Jennifer Hughes, Shriner donor development director; Lauren Duperray, AFT lead organizer; and Mike Garcia, AFT organizer.

The CFISD operations department partnered with the Cy-Fair branch of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and community volunteers to collect hundreds of toys over the summer. Items gathered will benefit the patients of the Shriner's Hospital for Children in Houston. Donation boxes were placed at campuses throughout the district and volunteers went door-to-door in the community to collect toys.
  
"We would like to express our appreciation to all who contributed to the success of this project," said Mike Garcia, field organizer for Cy-Fair AFT.  

Cy-Fair AFT will make a presentation regarding the fundraiser to the CFISD School Board during the Dec. 15 Board meeting. A video on the Cy-Fair AFT YouTube channel highlights the effort put into the fundraiser by volunteers and how the donations positively impact the quality of life for Shriner's Hospital patients. 

Tammy Blankenship, CFISD director of operations, and volunteer Zachary Corbett, Texas A&M Galveston, pack a car with donated toys to be given to Shriner's Hospital for Children in Houston.  

Cypress HOOPS Invitational

The Cy-Fair Educational Foundation is preparing for the fifth annual Cypress Hoops Invitational Tournament on Dec. 11-13. Competing in the event will be 24 varsity-level high school teams from CFISD and the surrounding area. Games will be held at various high schools with the championship game held at the Berry Center.  This year’s tournament is underwritten by North Cypress Medical Center Hospital.

“Teams from the Dallas area and the San Antonio area will be traveling to Houston for the event,” said Teresa Hull, event co-chair and CFISD associate superintendent. “This is so exciting because it means that word has gotten out about the high level of organization and quality of our tournament. This will help us continue to build state recognition and gives us great potential for growth."

New this year will be family fun activities at the championship game, including face painting, balloon animals and much more. Northwest Dodge will once again sponsor a contest with a chance to win a car on the final day.

The tournament was started by community member Eric Burg and modeled after an extremely successful tournament held in Pasadena. Burg, who played basketball for CFISD, wanted a way to showcase the talent and facilities in CFISD.

In the intense championship game between Galena Park North Shore and Plano West last year, North Shore pulled ahead and won the tournament. 

“These games are so fun to watch,” Hull said. “We are hoping to attract many spectators to cheer for the kids since ticket prices are so reasonable.”

Ticket prices are $2 for students and $3 for adults. A family fun pass is available for $8. Last year, the tournament raised $18,750. All proceeds raised through entry fees, t-shirt sales, game tickets and sponsorships will be used for innovative staff development programs for CFISD teachers and instructional leaders and for scholarships for high school seniors. For more information about ways to participate, contact Marie Holmes at 281-807-3591 or marie@thecfef.org.