To The Leader

Hurricane Harvey affected all in Orange County whether one experienced a flooded home, business or school, or one helped (and continues to help) with recovery.

The beginning of the 2017-2018 school year was devastatingly impacted by the storm. Little Cypress-Mauriceville Consolidated Independent School District (LCMCISD) alone suffered $65 million dollars in structural damages to the district’s schools. This does not take into account the damage and loss of teaching tools, such as years of educational materials saved and reused annually, risers and musical instruments, digital and technological resources, alternative classroom seating, and so many more items that are key to our children’s learning.

As the rebuilding, recovery and renewal continues, the Little-Cypress Mauriceville (LCM) Education Foundation, Inc. is hosting an Orange County community-wide celebration called 409 Strong. The event aims to celebrate our community coming together during the recovery from Hurricane Harvey. There will be a wide array of live local entertainment that includes the LCM High School award-winning Jazz Band and Pop Group, dance performances by the LCM High School Honey Bears and the Mauriceville Middle School Twirl Cats, activities for the kids including face painting and photos with the Easter Bunny, and specialty food for sale from our local restaurants. The Beary Merry Christmas Market Sweet Shop will also be present with their overflowing fresh baked goods available to purchase.

Admission is free and all food items and activities are offered at an affordable, family-friendly cost.

Money collected from 409 Strong food sales and activities supports the grants the LCM Education Foundation provides to the LCMCISD schools. The grants awarded to teachers and schools provide enriched educational opportunities for children, which is the sole reason the LCM Education Foundation, Inc. exists.

Founded in 2002, the LCM Education Foundation, Inc. has funded 163 grants totaling over $196,000.

409 Strong will be held on Saturday, March 24, from 5-9 p.m. at the Orange County Expo and Convention Center. Admission is free. Tickets for food and activities will be sold at the event. Local restaurants will be present as well as various Orange County business sponsors.

For more information, to participate as a local restaurant, or to be recognized as a sponsor of the event, please contact Jamia Harris at educationfoundation@lcmcisd.org or Sherry Combs at scombs@lcmcisd.org or 409-883-2232.