October 6, 2025 (Dallas, TX) — The Dallas Education Foundation (DEF), in partnership with Walmart, kicked off a new community initiative designed to strengthen family engagement and wellness across the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD).
The program, called Walmart Soccer Sparks Saturdays, features a series of weekend events at six Dallas ISD elementary schools. Each event brings together students, families, and community partners for a day of soccer-themed activities, resources, and fun that is creating an inclusive environment where families can connect, and schools can shine.
This new initiative is made possible through a $50,000 donation from Walmart to the Dallas Education Foundation. The contribution supports DEF’s mission of accelerating student success and fostering connection, wellness, and opportunity across the district’s 140,000 students.
“The Walmart Soccer Sparks Saturday events in Dallas ISD are about fostering connection, supporting wellness, and creating meaningful experiences for our students, their families, and the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Mita Havlick, Executive Director of the Dallas Education Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to Walmart for their continued partnership and for bringing together families and communities.”
Building Bridges Through Sport and Community
The Family & Community Engagement (FCE) office of Dallas ISD emphasized that programs like Soccer Sparks align with the district’s focus on student success through family involvement.
“FCE is excited and honored to partner with our schools, the Dallas Education Foundation, Walmart, and other local organizations to rally around the community in support of family and community engagement,” said Israel Rivera, Executive Director of Parent Advocacy and Support Services. “We strongly believe the root to student success is healthy relationships with our families and having fun along the way is a plus.”
The six Dallas ISD schools hosting Walmart Soccer Sparks Saturdays this year are:
- Julian T. Saldivar Elementary School
- John Quincy Adams Elementary School
- Jose “Joe” May Elementary School
- Herbert Marcus Leadership Academy
- Lida Hooe Elementary School
- H.S. Thompson STEAM Academy
Each school leads its own community celebration, with Walmart team members volunteering and participating in activities designed to strengthen family-school relationships.
“Education is a huge priority for Walmart, as is serving Texas families through our stores and also through our support of the communities that surround individual stores,” said Tina Budnaitis, Market Manager for Walmart. “We are excited about being able to work with the Dallas Education Foundation and with local Dallas ISD school communities to help bridge the gap for working families while celebrating sportsmanship and the global sport of soccer we know so many young families love!”
Community Leadership in Action
At the inaugural Soccer Sparks Saturday, Martin Dominguez, SMU soccer player, joined Dallas ISD families and volunteers to help kick off the celebration. From organizing activities to encouraging students on the field, Dominguez exemplified the spirit of community partnership that defines the initiative.
A Legacy of Community Support
Walmart has deep roots in Texas, where it opened its first store in 1975. Now celebrating 50 years in the Lone Star State, the retailer operates more than 500 stores and employs over 176,000 Texans. In 2024 alone, Walmart contributed over $159 million to community initiatives, donating nearly 92 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 76.6 million meals to individuals across the state.
Through this partnership, Walmart and DEF are uniting to build stronger, healthier, and more connected school communities and proving that when families play together, they grow together.
About the Dallas Education Foundation
The Dallas Education Foundation (DEF) is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and serves as the direct and designated philanthropic partner of Dallas ISD. With a mission to inspire community investment to accelerate student success, DEF focuses on economic mobility by supporting early learning, advancing literacy, driving postsecondary success, and championing educators. Learn more at dallasedfound.org and follow @dallasedfound on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Threads, and YouTube.
About Dallas Independent School District
The Dallas Independent School District is continually preparing its students for college or a career. The district offers a competitive mix of innovative programs, choice programs, and instructional initiatives that support the increased academic achievement and the social and emotional development of its students. To learn more, visit www.dallasisd.org.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 240 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites under 46 banners in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2025 revenue of $648 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. To learn more, visit www.walmart.com.
