TONIA RENE GRIFFIN has been able to turn personal loss into a purpose-filled life that is making a difference in both La Marque and Texas City on a daily basis.
After the loss of her husband, Griffin returned to La Marque to be near family. It also placed her on the path toward founding the Khambrel Foundation, which has promoted building dreams and global kindness since 2015.
“My mother was always very giving to those in the neighborhood that were less fortunate,” said Griffin. “She was always willing to give whatever she had, even if it was her last dollar. That was something that carried over to me, so when she passed away (in 2013), I started asking myself how I can give back in the manner that she did.”
Originally started as a volunteer group, it didn’t take long before Griffin’s vision became a passion that engulfed others to come aboard.
The Khambrel Foundation’s purpose is to help encourage youngsters to strive toward excellence. The vision has been hammered home in La Marque, where much of the city’s youth lives below the poverty line and are not afforded the opportunities that peers in other cities in the area have.
Griffin has been able to share the Khambrel Foundation with day cares, libraries, schools and businesses along with being able to support single-parent households with the basic necessities.
“The outpouring of support has been a blessing,” she said. “The children have really enjoyed the hands-on experience they have been given by those who have been so helpful with their time.”
Last weekend, the foundation put together its Kindness Rocks garden at the La Marque Economic Development Corporation. It was one of the more recent events put on by the Khambrel Foundation, which will begin its third annual Dream Builders program at K.B. Kids Pre-School and Daycare on March 12.
Literacy is a major focus for the foundation. On March 2, it will be giving away free books in the community in support of the Dr. Seuss Read Across America event. The Khambrel Foundation will be at the La Marque Public Library at 10:00am.
Griffin feels the foundation has barely scratched the surface of its potential.
“We will continue to be a presence in the community,” she said “We have a purpose to help the youth in both La Marque and Texas City, and we hope that our businesses will follow along and join us in making our community a more kinder place to be.”
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