For Immediate Release
Friends Endow Kids Voting USA - Brownsville
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS –OCTOBER 28, 2009 – Friends of Father Armand Mathew presented him with a surprise birthday gift as they celebrated his 87th birthday on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The birthday surprise was a check for $7,110 designated for the Kids Voting USA Brownsville Endowment.
“This is a gift that will please Fr. Mathew more than anything,” said Dr. Olivia Rivas, chair of the Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies.
The money was collected as pledges made by those in attendance at the birthday celebration that took place in the shade of the Free Speech Area behind Gorgas Hall.
“I do what I can, but the more mileage the less you can do. You wonderful folks – all those here and those who couldn’t make it – keep the gas in my tank, and therefore I keep going,” Mathew said. “I thank God for the privilege, the blessing and the joy of walking amongst you. Thank you and God bless you.”
The large crowd of students, faculty and staff enjoyed music and refreshments organized by the many friends of Fr. Matthew, who has been associated with UTB/TSC since March 2001. Songs were performed by several UTB/TSC staff and by students from Catholic Campus Ministries. Grupo Folklórico Atitlán danced a “huipil” to “Camino del Sur” under the direction of Health and Human Performance Department Chair Dr. Zelma Mata.
“Fr. Mathew is loved by many across the university, and he has touched all our lives in many different ways,” Rivas said. “Every year people ask me what they can give Fr. Matthew for his birthday, so now we’ve come up with the perfect gift, a donation to Kids Voting. We hope to continue this for many years to come.”
Mathew is the executive director of Kids Voting USA – Brownsville, the local affiliate of a nationwide program combining classroom instruction and an authentic voting experience to prepare young people to be educated, engaged voters. He is the former director of the UTB/TSC Center for Civic Engagement, a community service program of UTB/TSC.
Kids Voting USA – Brownsville is in partnership with the UTB/TSC Center for Civic Engagement, the Brownsville Independent School District, B.A.N.S.A. (private schools) and H.O.P.E. (homeschoolers). All schools participate in Kids Voting on a voluntary basis.
“Survey results show that most youngsters who have experienced Kids Voting say they will be motivated to vote when they reach voting age, and that is wonderful to hear,” said Mathew.
Through Kids Voting USA – Brownsville high school students will be voting on four of the propositions in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election. The four (out of 11) constitutional amendment propositions are 2, 3, 7 and 11.
Dr. Kathy Bussert-Webb, director of the UTB/TSC Center for Civic Engagement, also announced the recent receipt of a $10,000 grant from the Public Welfare Foundation for the Kids Voting USA Brownsville Endowment. She also announced the receipt of $1,000 designated through the office of Texas State Sen. Lucio, Jr. from proceeds of the recent House vs. Senate Golf Tournament.
For more information contact the director of the UTB/TSC Center for Civic Engagement, Kathy Bussert-Webb, at (956) 882-4300 or email kathy.bussertwebb@utb.edu.