Preparing for a new school year takes a community, and that's exactly what came together in Montana Vista this July.

Through a partnership between El Paso County Commissioner Jackie Butler, the Underserved Communities Foundation, Marathon, the University Medical Center of El Paso, and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation, hundreds of local students received new backpacks filled with school supplies to help them start the school year ready to learn. Families also had access to affordable sports physicals, health information, and other community resources throughout the evening.

The Paso del Norte Community Foundation was proud to support the initiative through Progress for Precinct 1, a charitable fund that provides a way for individuals, businesses, and community partners to invest in projects that benefit residents of El Paso County Precinct 1. Together, these partnerships help turn local generosity into meaningful opportunities for families and neighborhoods.

The backpack giveaway is a great example of what can happen when nonprofit organizations, businesses, healthcare providers, elected officials, and community members work together toward a common goal. By combining resources and expertise, the partnership helped ensure students in Montana Vista could begin the school year with the supplies they need, and the confidence that comes from knowing their community is invested in their success.