Thomas J. Henry helps provide free school supplies to Corpus Christi students

Students at two local elementary schools received free supplies as part of an effort that has helped more than half a million Texas children.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Students at Mary Helen Berlanga Elementary School received a back-to-school boost on Wednesday as free school supplies were handed out to help them start the new school year.

Corpus Christi attorney and philanthropist Thomas J. Henry partnered with TEXAS YES to provide supplies to students in kindergarten through fifth grade at the Title I school.

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Students received the nonprofit’s “Box of Dreams” kits, which included pencils, notebooks, folders, crayons and other classroom essentials.

Henry said he has partnered with TEXAS YES for about a decade to help provide students across the state with the tools they need to succeed in school.

“It all starts right here at the grammar school level,” Henry said. “It’s extremely important for kids to have that opportunity.”

Henry said one of his favorite parts of the effort is seeing how students react when they receive their supplies.

“You get to see them all having an opportunity to get some tools that’ll help them with their school and make them excited about learning,” Henry said.

TEXAS YES said its Box of Dreams program has distributed more than half a million school supply kits. Since 1998, the nonprofit said it has invested more than $4 million in schools and educational programs.

Henry encouraged others in the community to find ways to support local students and education.