LEAF’s Men Who Cook Raises Over $200,000 to Support Lamar CISD Students and Teachers Across Fort Bend County
For families across Lamar CISD, supporting public education goes beyond the classroom—it’s about ensuring students and teachers have the tools to thrive in one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas.
That commitment was on full display at this year’s LEAF Men Who Cook fundraiser, where the Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF) raised more than $200,000 to directly fund innovative teacher grants, student scholarships, and enrichment programs across the district.
Held at Safari Texas Ranch’s Infinity Ballroom in Rosenberg, the annual event combined community pride with a Disco-themed celebration that featured live music, auctions, and 75 “Celebrity Chefs” serving signature dishes in friendly competition.
For parents, educators, and taxpayers across Fort Bend County, the impact is tangible: funds raised through LEAF go straight back into Lamar CISD classrooms, campuses, and student opportunities.
What Is the Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF)?
The Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF) is the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (Lamar CISD). Since its founding in 2000, LEAF has awarded more than $6 million in grants, scholarships, and district-wide programs, all made possible through community donations, local business partnerships, and staff support.
LEAF’s mission is simple but powerful: to enrich teaching, inspire learning, and enhance opportunities for every student and educator in Lamar CISD.
The foundation supports the district in four primary ways:
-
Teacher Grants: Funding innovative, hands-on classroom projects that fall outside standard school budgets.
-
Student Scholarships: Financial assistance for graduating seniors pursuing college, technical training, or career pathways.
-
Staff Scholarships & Professional Development: Grants and scholarships that allow educators to attend workshops, earn certifications, or bring new strategies back to their campuses.
-
District-Wide Enrichment: Technology upgrades, performing arts initiatives, and programs that benefit entire schools.
In a district that now serves nearly 49,000 students across 57 campuses spanning 385 square miles in Fort Bend County, those resources help ensure that rapid growth does not compromise educational quality or opportunity.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
A Night of Food, Fun, and Community Impact
The 2025 Men Who Cook Lamar CISD event brought together 75 volunteer chefs who prepared signature dishes for guests to sample and vote on in the popular “Bite of the Nite” contest.
Taking home first place was Chef Shane Light, owner of Tight BBQ, with his Pork Belly Burnt Ends with Elote. Light shared the personal motivation behind his participation:
“My wife retired last year from Lamar CISD. She taught for 30 years,” Chef Light said. “I think Lamar ISD does a lot of great things, and I try to give back to the community and be a part of what they're doing.”
Second place went to Team Lamar CISD — Creighton Jaster, Michael Semmler & Timothy Bristol, and third place was awarded to Mezcal Mafia — Saul Hernandez, Abram Flores, Robert Palmer & Michael Ramsey.
Beyond the culinary competition, guests participated in both live and silent auctions, bidding on custom gift baskets, donated experiences, and even student-created artwork. Together, the auctions raised approximately $60,000.
Why Men Who Cook Matters for Lamar CISD Families
As Lamar CISD continues to expand across communities including Rosenberg, Richmond, Fulshear, Katy, Sugar Land, Missouri City ETJ, Simonton, Weston Lakes, and beyond, the need for supplemental funding and innovative programming grows alongside enrollment.
LEAF Executive Director Kameela Lewis highlighted the deeper purpose behind the event:
"Big thinking is one of the newest and most exciting values of Lamar CISD, and Men Who Cook is one of the ways we bring that value to life,” Lewis said. “Through this fundraiser, we invest directly in our innovative grants program, empowering our educators to dream bigger, think creatively, and implement transformative ideas that elevate student learning across the district. When our community shows up for Men Who Cook, they are helping turn bold ideas into real opportunities for our students.”
Community leaders and sponsors echoed that sentiment.
"Curtis and I proudly serve the district that helped shape who we are,” said Jason Sweatt of First Financial, a Presenting Sponsor and Lamar CISD graduate. “Our roots run deep here, and we're committed to protecting the families, friends, and educators who make this community home.”
Lorin Pargoud, Vice President of LEAF and Presenting Sponsor for PBK, emphasized the collaborative spirit behind the initiative:
“Men Who Cook is a long-standing LEAF community initiative that brings together male educators, chefs, and community volunteers to raise funds in support of grants and scholarships for Lamar CISD staff and students,” Pargoud said. “This shared commitment plays a vital role in nurturing bright young minds and helping prepare them for the promising futures that lie ahead.”
Mobile Sidebar Ad
What Happens Next
Funds raised at Men Who Cook will now cycle back into Lamar CISD campuses through grant awards, scholarships, and district-wide enrichment initiatives in the months ahead.
For families searching for ways to support Lamar CISD teacher grants, Lamar CISD scholarships, or local education nonprofits in Fort Bend County, LEAF continues to offer year-round opportunities to give, sponsor, or volunteer.
As Lamar CISD’s growth continues across its 15 municipalities, events like Men Who Cook serve as a reminder that strong public schools are built not only by educators—but by entire communities showing up together.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of Lamar CISD updates, education initiatives, and ways local residents are shaping the future of our schools.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.