April 26, 2023 612 PM
PRESIDIO — Last Thursday, the Big Bend Conservation Alliance (BBCA) hosted its annual Earth Day celebration packed with fun environmental programming for kids. Dozens of Presidians young and old attended for a series of activities geared at educating youngsters about the importance of protecting the earth’s resources.
The celebration was brought to life by a legion of volunteers from the BBCA, the City of Presidio, Project Homeleaf, the American Legion, the Stockyards, Porter’s, PHS National Honor Society, the Pink Flamingo, PISD Art Club and more.
The event kicked off with the “Burritos for Boxes” event, where folks were encouraged to drop off their recyclables in exchange for free burritos. Over at the Presidio Public Library, Librarian Carmen Elguezabal played a recycling game with elementary school students and hosted an “eco storytime” with Trisha Runyan.
The party continued at the Little League fields with a series of bike races and a fashion show, where kids were encouraged to make costumes out of recycled materials. Felipe Castillo took top prize for his costume made from the pages of a book. His mom, Félix Vázquez Santa Cruz, enjoyed putting together the costume with her kids.
She feels it’s important to participate in events that bring the community together. About a year ago, she pitched Presidio City Council for craft workshops and other family-friendly activities — since then, she’s made a point to help out with as many events as she can, including leading a senior-friendly gardening workshop. “The town needs more activities like these — if we don’t help out, what little we have might go away,” she said.
For her son, the event was all about getting some time in the limelight. “He loved it,” Santa Cruz said. “He is fascinated by modeling, having his picture taken, dancing — for him, it’s all about having an audience.”
