The Hobby Area Management District recently organized its first independent back-to-school drive, distributing 600 backpacks to local students. This remarkable achievement not only represents a significant increase from the 240 backpacks distributed in the previous year, but it also highlights the district’s growing commitment to directly serving its community.
Under the leadership of Special Projects and Operations Manager, Hunter Yeager, the district decided to take full control of this year’s event, managing everything from marketing to venue selection. Yeager explained, “We wanted to have 100% control over the event, especially since it was our funding on the line. We needed to ensure everything aligned with our vision and goals for the community.”
This level of control allowed the district to make more strategic decisions about how resources were allocated. For example, Yeager chose to partner with a different bulk school supply vendor this year and made sure that every backpack included high-quality items like Crayola supplies.
Preparation for the event began as soon as the district secured funding. In addition to the $7,000 allocated by the district, Yeager secured additional donations, including $3,000 from the Nathaniel Apartments and $1,000 from Gateway Ace Hardware.
The event, held on August 10, was a well-coordinated effort that brought together various community stakeholders including the Glenbrook Valley Civic Association, the Hobby Airport System, and other community members. These volunteers helped assemble the backpacks in an organized assembly line days before the event.
On the day of the event, volunteers and leasing managers from the Nathaniel Apartments assisted in distributing the backpacks. The event was structured as a drive-by to minimize contact and maintain efficiency. Despite the initial rush, all 600 backpacks were distributed by lunchtime, making the event a resounding success.
These types of community events are vital to the Hobby area. They do more than just provide school supplies; they enhance the quality of life in the district by targeting apartment residents and making the area a more desirable place to live. “At the end of the day, our mission is to make the Hobby area a desirable place to live,” said Yeager. “Hosting events like this, especially those that support our apartment communities, is key to achieving that mission.”
Looking forward, Yeager expressed excitement about continuing the tradition of the back-to-school drive in the coming years. “We look forward to hosting this event again next year and continuing to give back to our community,” he said.
The district’s focus on improving the living conditions for apartment residents aligns with its broader goal of fostering a sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere in the Hobby area. With the success of this year’s event, the district has set a new standard for community engagement and support.
