With children playing a wild game of popping balloons tied to each other’s legs, medical professionals from across the Houston area gathered recently at the East Aldine Town Center amphitheater and great lawn.

But they weren’t there to treat possible injuries caused by the game. Instead they came to support Bonding Against Adversity’s efforts to promote COVID 19 vaccinations in the East Aldine area.

The charitable organization, which works to help immigrants become citizens, has been focused lately on encouraging reluctant residents to get their COVID shots. In mid-June, the organization sponsored a “Safer Together” community fair to promote vaccinations in East Aldine.

There were games for kids, prizes, face-painting and snow cones in the blazing heat.

Tom Burdett, a retired Houston oilman, and his wife, Marianna Sanchez, said the organization has been working since February to increase the vaccination rate in East Aldine.

Their efforts have paid off, Sanchez said, with the vaccination rate increasing from 32 percent in February to 56 percent in mid-June.

“There are many people in East Aldine who are immigrants, or who just became legal residents, and they were afraid that getting a vaccine would mean they had to give all their information to the government,” Sanchez said. “We wanted to come out here today to show people that’s not true.”

The vaccination rate among immigrants has often trailed that of the nation’s total population, due to reluctance, lack of proper identification documents or other factors.

At least 83 percent of all people in the U.S. have received at least one anti-COVID vaccine dose.

While the outdoor activities continued, free vaccines were given at the Hope Clinic, located in the District’s Town Center complex.

Burdett said the “Safer Together” effort had boosted the vaccines for everyone in north Harris County,

And, they said the new Town Center complex was “perfect” for such community gatherings.

“This is a great space for the community, It’s a lot of fun, and people love it,” Sanchez said,

Burdett agreed, noting that the Town Center is home to BakerRipley East Aldine, Lone Star College, the Hope Clinic and the Harris County Sheriff’s Department’s 911 Call Center and the offices of the East Aldine Management District.

 “It’s amazing, because there are so many facilities out here, with so many organizations represented,” Burdett said. “For the entire community, it’s just fabulous.”

— By Anne Marie Kilday