Bella Strong

🤘🏼🧡 A heartfelt THANK YOU to the UHS Longhorns Football Program, Coach David Sanchez and his staff, Veronica, the United Booster Club, and everyone involved in raising funds and awareness for local children fighting cancer.

This program has a special connection to this cause. From athletes who have gained their angel wings to coaches and families who know this battle firsthand, childhood cancer has touched this football family in a very personal way.

Thank you for continuing to show up for our kids year after year. And to the opposing teams’ fans who donated at the entrance, thank you for your generosity!

We are truly grateful!

UHS Football Booster Club

❤️‍🩹 Santi’s family surprised us with this beautiful doll of our Bella.

They’re still learning to live without their sweet boy, yet they thought of our little girl. I don’t think they realize how much this means to us.

We wish more than anything that Bella and Santi were still here. Until we hold them again in Heaven.

🫂 To Santi’s family, know that we are always here for you and we love y’all.

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
— Romans 12:15

💙 A little behind the scenes at our center this morning.

Building capacity means making sure our organization is strong enough to serve our families today and grow for tomorrow.

📊• John, Financial Consultant — strengthening our finances and accountability
📝• Elizabeth, Grant Writing Consultant — helping us pursue funding and long-term sustainability
🫱🏻‍🫲🏽• Coach Coss, Team Building Consultant — strengthening our team and leadership

All while families stop by for assistance and some painting is happening around the center!

The mission keeps moving while we build a stronger foundation behind it.

🩵 This morning, our team met with our team-building consultant, Coach Coss, and took a deep dive into why we do what we do at Smiles From Heaven and Fight Like a Kid.

Our purpose has always been there, but today we came together, put it into words, and officially put it in ink!

As we continue to grow, it’s important that our team grows stronger together and never loses sight of why we started in the first place.

Thank you to Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. for investing in our coalition and helping us build a stronger foundation for the work ahead.

🍎☕ Happy World Teachers’ Day!

Malakoff Elementary School won our Spin the Wheel raffle, so we surprised their amazing teachers with pan dulce, donuts & Starbucks coffee this morning!

Smiles From Heaven & Fight Like A Kid love and appreciate our teachers! A big thank you to Rene from Starbucks for donating the coffee!

🇺🇸 This morning, our Executive Director, Ray Sanchez, had the honor of attending the groundbreaking of Laredo College’s new Veterans Center of Excellence.

As a combat veteran, former LC student, and someone who has used his GI Bill, this was a meaningful morning for Ray. He and several members of his family have taken classes at LC over the years.

With $1.4 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, the historic Guard House will become a dedicated space to support veterans and their families.

It was great seeing so many familiar faces and fellow veterans. Thank you to LC President Dr. Minita Ramírez, Congressman Cuellar, and everyone who helped make this project possible.

Proud to see Laredo College continuing to invest in those who served.

🫶🏼 Volunteers are the backbone of our organization!

Earlier today, our team had the privilege of setting up at UHS Longhorns to recruit new volunteers!

A huge thank you to United for the warm hospitality and to every student who stopped by and signed up to serve. Our Volunteer Coordinator, Samantha, leads an incredible group of volunteers who give their time throughout the year to help us serve our families and keep our mission moving forward.

Yes, you’ll earn volunteer hours, but more importantly, you’ll make an impact on local children fighting cancer right here in our community.

🎗️🎨 A few days ago, Raices Fuertes Coalition and F. S. Lara Academy hosted a Childhood Cancer Rock Painting Event and invited our Fight Like A Kid team to join them.

Our teen warrior Reynaldo joined us and shared his own lived experience with cancer and what this fight looks like through the eyes of a teenager.

Students also watched our Bella & JoyJoy animation before spending some time painting rocks together.

Thank you, Raíces Fuertes Coalition and Lara Academy, for creating space for our kids’ voices to be heard.