On July 31, volunteers from the Southern Region Office of Tzu Chi in Texas loaded a van with school supplies, uniforms, backpacks, and shoes, setting out from Houston’s Chinatown for Wharton, a rural city 80 kilometers away. Their destination: the annual “Just Do It Now” (JDIN) founder’s memorial and back-to-school fair, an event that brings together local families, community organizations, and volunteers to support children as they prepare for a new school year.
A Decade of Partnership and Community Care
The relationship between Tzu Chi volunteers and JDIN began over a decade ago, forged in the aftermath of severe flooding in 2014 and 2015. When Hurricane Harvey struck in August 2017, the partnership deepened, with Tzu Chi providing both immediate relief and long-term recovery support. Since their first interaction, volunteers have returned time and again—after storms, during the pandemic, and whenever the community needed help.
JDIN, founded in 2000 by Greg Baines, is a faith-based community center dedicated to helping those affected by addiction and hardship. After Baines’ passing in 2014, the organization has continued to honor his legacy with an annual memorial event, now in its tenth year. The day is filled with laughter, games, and the excitement of children receiving new supplies for school.
LEFT: On July 23, Tzu Chi Texas Deputy CEO Roger Lin (林書賢) (second right) and Pen-Chi Liu (劉本琦) (first left), along with other volunteers sort and pack supplies for JDIN’s after-school students in Wharton. RIGHT: Volunteer Tom Hsiao (蕭文杰) (left), who once managed a local plastics factory, joined the distribution with his wife, Mary Hsiao (蔡景琳). | Photos: Chin-Hung Yeh
Bringing Supplies and Smiles
Upon arrival, volunteers worked with JDIN staff to set up tables and organize supplies for over 100 after-school program students. The event was a collaborative effort, with other local organizations like Granite Construction Company and Baines Investment Group (B.I.G.) also distributing backpacks.
Tzu Chi Texas Deputy CEO Pen-Chi Liu (劉本琦) expressed: “This community has always been friendly to us. We hope to find more ways to help together.”
LEFT: Volunteers sort and arrange supplies for more than a hundred students at the event venue. RIGHT: Granite Construction Company, based in Houston, joined the event to distribute transparent backpacks. | Photo: Chin-Hung Yeh
No Barriers to Care
James Perez emphasized the importance of support for families in Wharton, especially as inflation strains household budgets.
“We are deeply grateful for everything Tzu Chi has done for JDIN and our community. Without your help, we couldn’t do this. It doesn’t matter what faith we follow or what color our skin is—we love and help each other. The backpacks you donate are a huge help for our families and children, saving them the expense at the start of the school year.” — James Perez, Executive Director and Board Chair of JDIN
Barbie Fortenberry and a longtime community liaison for Tzu Chi’s disaster relief, greeted volunteers with hugs and gratitude:
“I haven’t seen you in a while, so I’m really excited you’re here. We can’t express how thankful we are for everything you do for Wharton. My goal is to give back to you one day—if there’s ever a disaster, I’d be honored to join you in service.” — Barbie Fortenberry, JDIN’s Deputy Executive Director
LEFT: On July 31, Texas volunteers attended the JDIN founder’s memorial and back-to-school fair, distributing supplies to after-school students. RIGHT: A child beams with joy after receiving new shoes, posing with her mother at the booth. | Photo: Chin-Hung Yeh
Thoughtful Giving, Lasting Impact
The process of gathering supplies was a labor of love. Volunteers like Julienne Chi (林華音) and her sister Cindy Lai (林華星) compared prices at multiple stores and online to stretch every donation. Jennifer An, who helps distribute shoes, keeps an eye out for sales year-round, as she knows that new immigrants and students will need affordable, quality items. The joy of seeing children try on new shoes or uniforms makes every effort worthwhile.
One little girl, attending the fair with her mother, told Jennifer how much she loved the shoes and asked her to save a pair for her. Moments like these, captured in photos and smiles, are reminders of the impact of community care.
LEFT: Barbie Fortenberry (right), JDIN’s Deputy Executive Director, warmly embraces volunteer Pin-Hsiu Li (left, 李彬綉), expressing her gratitude for Tzu Chi’s ongoing support. RIGHT: JDIN Executive Director James Perez (right) expresses deep gratitude for Tzu Chi’s support, while Pen-Chi Liu (left) looks forward to more collaboration. | Photos: Chin-Hung Yeh
A Bridge of Compassion
From disaster relief to everyday needs, the partnership between Tzu Chi volunteers, JDIN, and the Wharton community has grown stronger with each passing year. Together, they continue to build a bridge of compassion, lighting the way for families and children as they face new challenges and opportunities.
Written by Chin-Hung Yeh (葉晉宏), Hsiu-Lien Chu (朱秀蓮)
Source: 德州志工攜手「馬上行動組織」 長情關懷華頓市
