CobbFendley Cares: Investing in the Next Generation

At CobbFendley, we believe that building stronger communities starts with investing in the next generation. This summer, our STEM committee hosted a back-to-school drive for all 20 of our office locations. Our staff came together to collect essential items to help local students start the school year ready to succeed.

Ivonne Noria is not only a CobbFendley Emerging Leader and Project Engineer, she also extends her impact beyond projects by serving as a Regional Coordinator for the STEM Subcommittee of CobbFendley Cares. This year she helped lead the Pearland office’s school supply drive, coordinating logistics, setting goals, and rallying her team. Thanks to their generosity, the office exceeded its goal, raising $422 to provide 30 classroom headphones for 3rd-grade students at Highlands Elementary, a Title I campus.

For Ivonne, the effort was personal: “I grew up watching my mom work as an elementary school teacher, and it had a lasting impact on me. I saw firsthand how much time, energy, and even personal resources she poured into her classroom to make sure her students had what they needed to succeed. It taught me early on that even small acts of support can make a big difference in a child’s education. I know that something as simple as a set of headphones can significantly improve a student’s learning experience. Being able to help in this way feels personal, and I am proud to be part of a team that values giving back to our communities.”

Ivonne also sees initiatives like the school supplies drive as deeply aligned with CobbFendley’s mission. “We do not just strive to make positive engineering impacts in our communities; we also show up in meaningful ways outside of our projects, including in classrooms. Supporting education, especially in underserved areas, is an investment in the future of STEM and in the students who may one day pursue careers in engineering and related fields. Initiatives like this help us live out our values of service, equity, and long-term community impact.”

CobbFendley’s Fort Worth office hosted a Back-to-School Drive led by Ashley Whisonant, who wears many hats as both an Office Liaison for the STEM Subcommittee and an active supporter of CobbFendley Cares. Ashley promoted the drive through office flyers and the Fort Worth Office newsletter, rallying her team to get involved.

Partnering with Classic Conversations Community Decatur, the Fort Worth office came together to support Mrs. Katie Darnell’s class of 40 students, ensuring they had the tools needed for a successful school year.

For Ashley, the initiative was about more than supplies: “I have always enjoyed serving others, and CF Cares allows me to give back to those in our community who are less fortunate than myself.”

Through her leadership and the generosity of the Fort Worth team, CobbFendley continues to make a lasting impact in classrooms and communities.

Lillian Martinez, Project Engineer and Office Liaison for the STEM Subcommittee in San Antonio, helped lead her office’s Back-to-School Drive as part of CobbFendley Cares. Through her coordination and outreach, the San Antonio team came together to provide essential supplies that will directly benefit local students and teachers. To spark extra excitement, Lillian encouraged friendly competition among team members to see who could donate the most supplies.

For Lillian, the effort represents more than just a collection drive, it is personal. “Growing up in a low-income home meant dumpster diving for school supplies at the end of the school year for my sister to prepare for the next or us reusing what we could for as long as possible. Although, this made my sister and me stronger and more appreciative, it was a struggle. I don’t know that they had supply drives when I was in elementary school. It would have been a huge help for my mom.”

For the San Antonio team, the drive was a natural extension of CobbFendley’s mission. “We are committed to growth not only within our company, but also within our community,” shared Lillian. “By giving back to the community, we demonstrate that we are not only contributing to the building of infrastructure but also to building a bond between CobbFendley and our community.”

For the past seven years, Ashley Rohrs, Administrative Assistant in CobbFendley’s Frisco office, has played a leading role in supporting the annual Back2School Fun Fair hosted by Frisco Family Services. From encouraging donations and coordinating collections to loading and delivering items on drop-off day, Ashley ensures her office is an active part of one of the community’s most impactful programs. CobbFendley’s Frisco office has maintained a longstanding partnership with Frisco Family Services, and each summer, employees rally together to collect supplies and hygiene items that help local students start the school year prepared.

Ashley organizes the effort by setting up a collection table in the reception area, posting supply lists around the office, and sending reminders to keep the momentum going. She also makes it easy for employees to contribute by encouraging online orders shipped directly to the office.

The Back2School program provides children whose families are experiencing financial hardship with new backpacks, required supplies, hygiene items, and even clothing and shoes, ensuring they return to school feeling confident and ready to learn.

As Ashley puts it, “All it takes is purchasing one item for you to make a difference to a child, a family, and our community.” Thanks to her leadership and the generosity of the Frisco office, countless students are able to begin the school year with positivity and excitement.

Lauren Jackson, Marketing Communications Coordinator and Chair of the Hunger Relief Subcommittee of CobbFendley Cares, may focus her efforts on addressing food insecurity, but her passion for service extends far beyond. She is eager to give back in any way she can, including leading this year’s Houston Back-to-School Drive.

Thanks to more than $900 in donations, along with countless supplies brought in by employees, the Houston office collected hundreds of items, including over 45 backpacks.

These supplies will directly benefit Arnold Middle School students, more than 70% of whom come from disadvantaged communities.

“We are proud to support local students and help set them up for success this school year. I feel fortunate to be in a position where I can give back, and I think it’s important to support those who need it most,” Lauren shared.

Rosalinda Garcia, Organizer of the El Paso Back-to-School Drive, led her office’s efforts to support local students and teachers. Employees were encouraged to drop off school supplies at the office, and the team also contributed through teachers’ Amazon wish lists.

“I have always had a drive to volunteer both inside and outside of the company,” Rosalinda shared. By creating opportunities for her colleagues to give back, she helped strengthen both the El Paso team and their impact on the community.

From backpacks and notebooks to crayons and calculators, every donation makes a difference. Together, our employees showed incredible generosity, providing students in need with the tools to learn, grow, and thrive.

Our Annual School Supplies Drive is more than just a collection effort; it is a reflection of CobbFendley’s commitment to collaboration and community. By supporting education, we’re helping to build a foundation where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We are grateful to all who participated and look forward to continuing our tradition of giving back through future CobbFendley Cares initiatives.