Scout’s Honor: Aiden Pulido Builds a Legacy of Literacy for Little Readers
A high school senior, Aiden Pulido is on a mission to earn his Boy Scout Eagle Scout rank. Central to this achievement is a community service project that showcases his leadership skills. As the son of two doctors, Aiden was determined to create a project with a health care focus. After careful consideration, he decided to construct bookshelves to promote literacy among children at hospitals and health clinics.
“I was initially exploring larger health care centers for my project but wasn’t making much progress,” Aiden recalled. That’s when his mother, Dr. Lauren Ta, an OB/GYN at Legacy’s Gulfton Dashwood clinic, recognized that Legacy would be the perfect partner for Aiden’s initiative. “I connected him with the right people to get things moving,” she explained.
Legacy’s Little Readers program has a long-standing commitment to fostering literacy. Pediatric patients receiving well-child visits are gifted free age-appropriate books and a “prescription to read.” Legacy has distributed more than 300,000 free books to infants and young children. The organization also provides reading areas in many pediatric clinics, allowing children to engage with books while waiting for appointments.
Aiden collaborated closely with Little Readers coordinator Debbie Costello to align his project with Legacy’s mission. Together, they decided that Aiden’s five planned bookshelves would be placed in Legacy’s School-Based Health Clinics,
(SBHC) where students from KIPP, YES Prep, and Galena Park could read or select a free book during their visits. “I needed to partner with an organization I could trust, and Legacy was with me every step of the way,” Aiden shared.
With a vision in mind, Aiden and his friends began sketching their ideas. Aiden and his dad assembled the bookshelves. Family and friends then gathered in Aiden’s garage to help paint the shelves in Legacy’s vibrant colors. The entire project took about two months. Then, Aiden and fellow project assistant John Simoneaux delivered the bookshelves to the SBHC clinics.
“It was incredible to see the students at the schools when we delivered the bookshelves,” Aiden said. “Knowing that they would be using libraries I built made all the hard work worthwhile. This project was challenging, but thinking about the children I was helping kept me motivated.”
Dr. Ta added, “Whenever I see a mother with her children, I want to offer her a book. Many parents bring all their kids to appointments, and having a book can engage them while they wait. It’s a wonderful way to promote literacy.”
Legacy’s Little Readers program thrives entirely on donor support, highlighting the importance of community generosity. Thanks to dedicated volunteers like Aiden, we continue to advance our mission of driving healthy change in our communities.
A Bright Future for Pediatric Care in Beaumont!
Legacy is thrilled to announce a $150,000 gift from the Helen G. Bell Charitable Trust, presented by Hancock Whitney Bank VP Jean Moncla to Legacy’s Josh Davis, and these funds will directly support the development of pediatric facilities and services at our new clinic. This gift, earmarked for pediatric facilities, is an important donation to the capital campaign for our new Beaumont clinic.
Aiden and his mother Dr. Lauren Ta
Aiden Pulido and John Simoneaux
Fall 2024
legacy.community/giving
Legacy Community Health Operating Board
Ryan Martin Chairperson
Ronnie Kurtin Vice-Chairperson
Vacant
Treasurer
Taryn Hargrove Gore
Secretary
Allison Floyd Wells, M.D.
At-Large / Executive Committee
Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor, M.D.
Cathy Easter
Gary Hammett
George Hawkins
Bryan Hlavinka
Neftali Partida
Naveen Pinglay
Cindy Scharringhausen
Legacy Community Health Endowment Board
Mike Holloman Chairperson
George Hawkins Vice-Chairperson
Ray Purser
Treasurer
Sharon Land
Secretary
Pat Avery
Linda Cantu
Tripp Carter
Cyndy Garza Roberts
James Hazen
Gerry Heard
Rosi Hernandez
Bryan Hlavinka
Ronnie Kurtin
Steve Pate
Board Members Emeriti
Melanie Gray
Melissa Mithoff
James A. Reeder, Jr.
Monsour Taghdisi
Claire Cormier Thielke
Le Cirque du Mint Julep: A Glitter and Glam Carnival dazzled and delighted, making it an unforgettable evening! We extend our deepest gratitude to our presenting sponsor, Quest Diagnostics. Congratulations to our incredible honorees and heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, event chairs, and volunteers. Together, we raised an astounding $317,000 for Legacy’s HIV/AIDS programs.
July 21, 2024 Bayou Music Center HONOREES
Tony Bravo and Richard Werner CO-CHAIRS
Kevin Aloysius, Ray Purser, and Cyndy Garza Roberts
Regina Dane
Richard Werner and Tony Bravo
Tim Vuong, Mike Freeman, Brandon Blanton, and Jim Sikorski
Zac Paugh, Tammi Wallace, Ray Purser, and Kathryn McNiel
Shubhra Endley, Linda Cantu, and Januari Fox
Kay Sedilla
Chris Laakso, Rachel Price, Daved Bianco, and George Hawkins
Clay Brooks, Brody Zalesak, and Pat Avery
Quest Diagnostics
Shy Anne
Ginny Galtney, Stephanie Humphries, Chree Boydstun, and Lisa Bordelon
PLANNED GIVING
The Most Important Decision Before the End of the Year
October 21st - 27th is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, and we’re sharing a free online will-writing tool from our partner, FreeWill. As we consider the most important decisions we need to make before the end of year, this resource makes it easy to finalize your plans and even include a gift to support the future of Legacy.
• 64% of Americans say that having a will is important — but 68% don’t have a will in place.
Legacy in the Community
Healthy and Ready to Learn with Legacy
Legacy Community Health is committed to ensuring that our community’s children are healthy and ready to learn.
HOUSTON AREA
We provided 2,500 backpacks to students in the Greater Houston area, distributing them at our pediatric clinics. A+ thanks to Molina Healthcare and Wellpoint for sponsoring, helping stuff backpacks, and distributing them.
BEAUMONT
Beaumont’s Back-to-School Festival on July 27 was held at Pietzsch-MacArthur School, where we handed out nearly 1,300 backpacks. Shout out to our sponsors, including ExxonMobil, Quest Diagnostics, and Manning’s Solutions for Business.
Level Up Your Self-Love Check Your Status
Legacy joined forces with Walgreens and the Keiser Family Foundation for National HIV Testing Day on July 27. The 2024 theme, “Level up your self-love: check your status,” highlighted the importance of knowing your HIV status for optimal health. Our team provided free testing at multiple locations in Houston and Beaumont. Pictured is Health Navigation Specialist Miguel Jacquez.
• 40% of people without a will say they don’t have enough assets to need one.
No matter your age or how wealthy you are, everyone should have a plan. Now is the time to consider these important questions while making your will, such as – Who, do you want to care for your children or pets?
– Have you made decisions around finances?
– Do you want to support Legacy’s mission in your plans?
For more information contact Tim Martinez at (713) 203-7221, tjmartinez@legacycommunityhealth.org or visit legacy.community/plannedgiving.
Using our partner, FreeWill, you can answer these questions and create your plan for the future today. Scan the QR code below or visit freewill.com/legacy.
Scan QR Code to Learn More!
Two Women Who Mean Business
We are excited to celebrate Chree Boydstun, Legacy’s Chief Development Officer, and Dr. Vernicka Sales, Chief of Population Health and Legacy Performance Services, who have been named two of the Houston Business Journal’s Who Mean Business in the health care sector! This recognition honors women in leadership who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in their careers and community service.
Legacy’s Chief Development Officer Chree Boydstun, Renita Cooksey, Skye Thomas, and Josh Davis
Legacy’s Jessica Perez and Molina Healthcare Vounteeers
Volunteers and staff from Legacy and the United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County
Dr. Vernicka Sales and Chree Boydstun
Health Navigation Specialist Miguel Jacquez
