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��ɫ��Ƶ San Antonio hosted its annual Ripples of Hope event, Tuesday, May 2nd at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Ripples of Hope 2023: Five Years Forward celebrated the impact our community has on students, young leaders, and educators. This year, we honored our AmeriCorps team, our partner teachers, and the Straus family, whose ongoing civic contributions are making an impact in the lives of students. Joe Straus III, in honor of his and his family’s philanthropic legacy, was chosen as our 2023 ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Idealist of the Year.

Over 350 community leaders gathered together for a beautiful evening of entertainment and appreciation. Along with the presentation of the Idealist of the Year Award, we presented the ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Bridge Builder Award to eight San Antonio Independent School District partner teachers.

Our evening began with a networking cocktail hour on the Greehey Lawn of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Guests were entertained by the beautiful and festive music of Mariachi Orgullo de San Antonio. This award-winning mariachi group is made entirely of high school students from our partner school, Lanier High School. 

Our dinner program began with a video highlighting our AmeriCorps member and their ACM Experience. Our Corps members were honored and gifted with a personalized gift card from our diamond sponsor, H-E-B. One of the major highlights was the honoring of eight of our partner teachers with the Bridge Builder Award. Each teacher was handpicked by their principal for their embodiment of the Bridge Builder spirit. They were joined on stage and given their award by the partner AmeriCorps member. Each teacher was also surprised with a prize of $3,000! These awards and gifts were made possible by the generosity of Rick Cavender and Harvey E. Najim.

Our evening was concluded with an inspiring story from ��ɫ��Ƶ San Antonio Alumnus, Jason Lambert. He challenged everyone to see the impact that one person can make in the lives of someone else.

We are so grateful to all of our participants and attendees for helping to make this event a success.

Thank you to all of our sponsors and contributors who made this event possible. A special thank you to our Diamond Sponsor- H-E-B, and our Platinum Sponsors – Ann & Bob Parker, Capital Group, CPS Energy, Deborah and Rex Amini, and Valero!