Corpus Christi Fish for Life helps students start school with confidence

Corpus Christi Fish for Life and JCPenney partner to boost students’ confidence with a back-to-school shopping spree, offering new clothes and community support.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A new set of clothes can do more than fill a student’s closet. It can also help build confidence heading into a new school year.

Corpus Christi Fish for Life partnered with JCPenney to take elementary students from T.G. Allen Elementary School and West Oso Independent School District on a back-to-school shopping spree.

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The effort allowed students to select new clothes while receiving one-on-one attention from volunteers.

“We are out here today to bring some children who are a little bit less fortunate to shop for school clothes, give them a little bit of one-on-one attention and let them pick out some of their clothes,” Corpus Christi Fish for Life President Piper Precious said. “We want to show them that the community is going to show up for them and that we care.”

Precious said giving students an opportunity to choose their own clothes allows them to express themselves and begin the school year feeling more confident.

“This is their opportunity to be able to express themselves by what they wear to school and help them build confidence,” Precious said. “It shows them that we really do care and that the community will show up for them.”

Volunteers accompanied the students as they shopped, helping them find new outfits and prepare for their return to the classroom.

“It’s absolutely wonderful. We have some of the best citizens here in Corpus Christi,” Precious said. “A lot of people show up year after year to help these students.”

Precious said seeing the students’ reactions makes the work especially meaningful.

“It brings a lot of joy to me, seeing the smiles on their faces,” Precious said. “Their faces just light up, and they absolutely adore it. I adore these children as well. I love my community.”

Precious also thanked the Wynn and Brazelton families, along with JCPenney, for helping make the shopping event possible.

“JCPenney is a huge contributor to this, and we really want to thank them for opening up the store and getting all this ready for us,” Precious said.

Corpus Christi Fish for Life helps hundreds of students and families across the Coastal Bend. People interested in supporting the organization can volunteer or make a donation at corpuschristifishforlife.org.

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