McKinney, TX – This weekend, North Texas families enjoyed food, festivities and family fun for a good cause at Riddle Street Montessori for the Gifted and Talented (RSM) in McKinney. The free event raised money for The Samaritan Inn, the only homeless shelter in Collin County.

A free event, local businesses showcased their summer program options including sports and fitness, arts and crafts, chess and science. Families checked out the local offerings and got a hands-on look at what these programs have to offer. Finding enriching and cost effective summer options can become overwhelming to parents, especially with the abundance of options in the Metroplex.

“This was our way to show the families in Collin County that there are high quality programs to keep your children healthy, active and learning throughout the summer right in our own backyard,” Dr. Bhooma Srinivasan, head of school at RSM said.

In honor of April being Literacy Month, the program included a special story time hosted by RSM student Jessica Shetty, age three and local children’s book author Holly Green. Families were then introduced to RSM students Adith Srinivasan and Dylan Breedlove, ages eight and nine respectively, for a special presentation of Around the World In 80 Days. Five year old Advika Srinivasan introduced The Samaritan Inn for a community update on homelessness in Collin County.

Each participating business gave back to The Samaritan Inn either by monetary donation, volunteerism or raffle item donation. Participating businesses included: Abrakadoodle, Cheers and Tumbles, Enrichment Chess, Jump Bunch, KidzScience, North Dallas Golf Instruction, Take Shape Kids and Stretch-n-Grow.

“Events like these bring the community together and increase our awareness of enriching opportunities for kids, as well as our awareness of those children who do not have these opportunities available to them,” Lynne Sipiora, Executive Director of The Samaritan Inn, said.

Thirty percent of homeless people in Collin County are children. To learn more about how you can help visit www.thesamaritaninn.org or http://riddlestreet.com.

Riddle Street Montessori provides a strong, integrated and creative system of learning for gifted and high-achieving students. Riddle Street offers a year-round program designed to meet the academic, social, emotional and intellectual needs of exceptionally bright students ages 3 to 12. A one of a kind integration of the Maria Montessori Method of education and the curriculum for gifted children allow children to learn through activity and discovery, ensuring the joy of learning, and enabling them to become independent and responsible citizens of the world.