The Great Khalid Foundation donated school supplies and backpacks to sixth-graders at Riverside Middle School on Friday afternoon.
Linda Wolfe, the El Paso singer’s mother and the foundation’s executive director, welcomed students back to school with brand new backpacks filled with pens, paper, notebooks, loose-leaf paper, erasers, pencil holders and more.
“You know, some of these kids come in and don’t have all of their supplies; they have to borrow (supplies),” Wolfe said. “These people are going to have their own equipment, they’re going to have a nice backpack. So, it’s going to allow them to have confidence.”
Although he couldn’t make the event, Khalid’s music filled the gymnasium as students danced while waiting to receive their new backpacks.
Wolfe handed the backpacks filled with supplies to the students, some of whom found the generous gifts so filled that they had trouble carrying them back to the stands.
Riverside Middle students won the donation when they submitted their essay into a competition with other schools from the El Paso and Las Cruces area on why the foundation should choose their campus for the giveaway. The competition was won by Ruby Shivery, a technology instructional coach.
“By writing this essay, it motivated me to be the voice of our Rebels and hopefully receive this great surprise,” Shivery said. “Students, you are the reason I am standing here today. You encouraged me to be a better teacher, to help you, guide and support you along the way. I want you to know this. I will be the person in front of you to lead you in the right path. I will be the person next to you when times get tough and you need someone to lean on, and I will be behind you to cheer you on with all your accomplishments you will achieve.”
Principal Daniel Medina said he was over the moon and excited for students to receive their supplies.
“Our students are very fortunate to have been benefited from this generosity of The Great Khalid Foundation. Over the past three years, time and time again, they’ve shown us that El Paso has a special place in their hearts, particularly when it comes to students, teachers and our schools,” Medina said.
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