Volunteering can be a source of healing. Paola and Nathan DeLeon lost their 14-year-old daughter, Makayla DeLeon, on September 20, 2020. When the 1-year anniversary of their daughter’s death was drawing near – the DeLeon’s were looking for ways they could honor Makayla. 

“Makayla loved to volunteer. She was the one who inquired about volunteering at church – she loved to take care of the babies in the nursery,” Paola explained. “What better way to honor my beautiful daughters’ life than for our family and friends to volunteer in her name.”

Makayla DeLeon was a perfectly healthy freshman in high school when she collapsed. She was in the hospital for eight months before her heart could no longer support her and she passed. Makayla’s spirit lives on in Paola and Nathan, who feel honored every day to be her parents.

“My heart heals knowing we are volunteering to fight hunger. We volunteer at the San Antonio FoodBank to ultimately provide a meal fora family that otherwise wouldn’t have one. And again, helping our community – this is where my healing begins.”

Serving in the San Antonio Food Bank sorting room, the DeLeon family worked together to sort and pack non-perishable foods and household items to prepare them for distribution to the 90,000 individuals the Food Bank serves each week.

We are moved by the DeLeon family and their selfless gift of time in honor of Makayla.