The Tyler Independent School District Foundation wasted no time in going above and beyond the call of duty in its annual, 2009-2010 fund drive. Only three weeks after the drive’s goal was not met, an additional $24,000 came in and increased the total collected to $354,000 in a drive whose goal was $350, 000. By the original deadline there had been $330,000 collected. The Foundation is made up of 35 community notables who search out sources to help the TISD in ways not generally financed by tax dollars. TISD Foundation Executive Director Larry Goddard made it clear that is was better late than never.
“Of course we were disappointed that cialis doses we did not reach our goal, but were grateful for the generous total of gifts we received,” he said.
The success goes back to a simple phone call.
“A donor who has participated in our golf tournament in the past called unexpectedly and is presenting us with a scholarship endowment,” Goddard said. “He was as excited as I was.”
The donor’s identity will be revealed at a later date. The fund will finance high school graduates to attend vocational or technical training courses.
“We have a huge need for assistance for our students who have chosen technical/vocational paths rather than a four-year degree,” said Goddard. “This is our second scholarship for these students, and we are proud to be able to find donors who understand the need for skilled workers in a variety of fields including auto mechanics, HVAC, building trades and other vocations.”
The Foundation uses these funds for such events as Convocation, Teacher of the Year and the Retirement Luncheon. The Foundation’s biggest happening, “A Night of Shining Stars,” honors the top 20 students from Robert E. Lee and John Tyler high schools as well as the teachers who were these students’ main inspiration. The event will be Monday, May 10, 7:00 p.m. at Caldwell Auditorium.
“This year many of our graduates selected their elementary teachers as well as their high school guidance counselors,” said Goddard.
A final fundraiser for the 2009-2010 academic year, the Gil Hitt Memorial Golf Tournament, named for a Tyler businesman who died during his term as TISD school board of trustees president, will take place Monday, June 14 at Hollytree Country Club. For further information call (903) 266-9805.