In its ongoing support of its community, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo today awarded $250,000 to the Memorial Park Conservancy for reforestation of this iconic Houston landmark, making the Show one of the largest donors to the organization.
“It’s a perfect fit for the Show,” said Show Chairman of the Board R.H. “Steve” Stevens Jr. “Memorial Park has been the home of our trail riders for nearly 60 years, and many of our 28,000 volunteers are Houstonians who consider the park a wonderful recreation area year-round.
“The agricultural tie-in is close to our hearts, as well,” he said. “Reforestation efforts span the state of Texas, which was hit so hard by the drought in 2011. We have scholarship students majoring in forestry, horticulture, parks and recreation, land use and planning, and other related subjects, helping with these efforts state-wide.”
The Memorial Park Conservancy is one of nearly 40 Texas educational program grants supported by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund. The Show’s funding of grants nearly doubled for 2012- 13.
“We are thrilled with the support from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” said Jim Porter, chairman of the board of Memorial Park Conservancy. “This very generous donation will allow the Conservancy to continue our reforestation efforts and further our mission to restore, preserve and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.”
Other Houston area support includes the Alley Theatre, Children’s Museum of Houston, Glassell School of Art, The Health Museum, Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Community College Public Safety Institute, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Independent School District, Neuhaus Education Center, and Teach for America Houston.
This financial support is part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s 2013 educational commitment of more than $24 million, which also includes scholarships to Texas high school students, support of young livestock exhibitors, funding for a variety of leadership opportunities for young Texans, and much more.
Since its beginning in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has committed more than $330 million to scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, School Art participants, and other educational youth programs.
(Source: Release)