Swenke Elementary Honors Late Student's Legacy with Annual Stuffed Animal Drive for Harris County Constable Precinct 5
At Swenke Elementary in Cy-Fair ISD, the legacy of a young student who believed in the power of kindness, comfort and giving, lives on. Once again, the students of this Cypress-area school have taken part in an annual initiative of donating stuffed animals to Harris County Constable Precinct 5. This initiative has been carried out in memory of Julia Marie Briggs, a beloved Cy-Fair ISD student who tragically lost her life to cancer over a decade ago.
In Cy-Fair ISD, Julia Briggs is remembered for her charismatic personality, athleticism, and dedicated community service. Dreaming of earning the Silver Award for Girl Scouts, she planned to collect stuffed animals for the Houston Police Department. These toys were intended to provide comfort to children during crisis situations.
Julia's sudden passing in 2009 from a rare and aggressive form of cancer, Mediastinal Lymphoma, brought her plans to an untimely halt. To honor her memory, her friends and family created the Burning Flower Foundation, named after a moniker Julia received at a family Cub Scout camping trip. The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about Mediastinal Lymphoma and supporting causes important to Julia.
One such cause epitomized by Julia’s planned Girl Scout project found a home at Swenke Elementary. There, the Student Council members choose an annual service project to give back to the community. Once they heard Julia’s story, the collection of stuffed animals for first responders became a tradition.
Over the years, this act of kindness has been sustained by the students of Swenke Elementary, who continue to vote for it as their annual project. Last year, they collected an impressive total of over 300 stuffed animals. The toys were then handed over to Harris County Constable Precinct 5, extending Julia's vision of comforting children in distress.
Principal Dr. Elizabeth Miller, who once coached Julia in lacrosse, says "Teaching and practicing kindness are very important to the staff at Swenke. Doing the stuffed animal drive is a perfect way to show kindness to others."
As Swenke Elementary students once again embrace the cause, they are not just donating dozens of toys, but are also keeping their late fellow student’s legacy of love, compassion, and community service alive.
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.
