Matthew and Camerina Carrión - Small but Mighty: Together, We Enhance Lives through Giving

If you’re an Amway IBO on the Pappalardo’s team, you are fully aware of the positive impact of giving, whether it be to support a fellow IBO through tough times, lend a hand to a neighbor, or get involved in the non-profit, Operation Impact. The Pappalardos originated this organization in New York in 2017, with the mission of raising the bar on generosity by enabling communities to serve those around them. Today, it thrives in multiple U.S. locations. Why? Because IBOs like Camerina and Matthew Carrión of San Antonio, Texas believe, as the Pappalardo family does, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Carrión’s took the lead in their own community of San Antonio, Texas, and established Backpacks for a Cause, an initiative of Operation Impact, to serve a local Title One school there.

Working closely with the New York office of Operation Impact, Camerina quickly learned how to initiate Backpacks for a Cause at the Title One school she selected in San Antonio: Meadow Village Elementary School. With the strong support of their upline, Dan & Brenda Rein and their enthusiastic IBO team, the first two years supplying backpacks were a great success. Collectively, approximately 125 backpacks brimming with essential school supplies were personally given to the children each of those years at “Distribution Day”. Camerina says, “The team really went all out. The backpacks that were donated were pretty special! In 2023, Amway Corporation also donated hygiene kits with deodorant and soap for the children”. Camerina describes the distribution days of the last two years as “awesome and unforgettable. Many students and parents were teary-eyed – as well as the IBOs! I am proud of our team. We did this together! We’re making a big impact!”

This coming school year, distribution of backpacks is planned for the “Meet the Teacher” night for parents and students a week prior to the official start of school. Hygiene kits from Amway Corporation will also be provided. Camerina and Matthew’s team is also coordinating with the school administration, family, friends, and local businesses to offer free haircuts, face painting, and food trucks for the students and their parents. “We want to make this annual event even more special for everyone. We’re small but we’re mighty. We definitely come together strong for the greater good,” explains Camerina.

As parents of two sons, ages 8 and 4, the Carrions are aware that the future belongs to children – and how important it is to ensure their childhood prepares them for a full, rewarding adult life. Camerina says, “It was important to us that our children realize not every child have parents that can provide for them and have the advantages we do.” Matthew adds, “As IBOs, we have the ability and it’s important that we give back. My mother was a teacher for 26 years and I witnessed how she went above and beyond to make sure kids had what they needed. Much of it came out of her own pocket. Backpacks for a Cause is a way we can help teachers as well as students by providing essential school supplies in a handy backpack for kids who would otherwise go without.”

To add to the pride and pleasure in their successful Backpacks for a Cause initiative, Meadow Village Elementary School honored the Carrións’ IBO team as Partner of the Year! They provided over 264 kids with essential school supplies, hygiene kits, and feminine products. They were among the top 120 nominees from a district-wide pool of 500 partnerships, recognized as a business organization and as mentors. An awesome achievement given that several, much larger organizations were also in the running.

Both Camerina and Matthew agree, the examples of the Pappalardo family and Dan and Brenda Rein have provided inspiration and motivated them to find honorable avenues in which to give back and help those in need. “We’re so excited to see what our team can do for others in the years ahead,” exclaims Camerina. Matthew elaborates, “Together, we’re making a difference now for a better, brighter future for many.”