Tyler Perry made a huge donation to schools in Ohio during a surprise visit to one of the middle schools after he learned of the district’s struggle to fund athletics programs and other extra-curricular activities.
No matter what you say about Tyler Perry’s movies, you have to admit that he is certainly a man with a big heart.
When the famous actor and film director stumbled upon a TV report about Finland Middle School teacher Mary Mulvany he couldn’t help but feel impacted by her story.
Mulvany had created her very own foundation that was aimed at raising money for Ohio’s South-Western schools in hopes that all the children who wanted to participate in sports and extracurricular activities would receive that chance.
While her efforts have made a difference in the community, they certainly needed a good boost and Perry gave them just that.
The Madea actor showed up at the school during a musical concert where he broke the big news and had the kids erupting into cheers and excitement.
Perry is one of the first famous faces to personally step in ever since the school district caught media attention back in 2009.
It all started when voters failed to pass a new tax that would allow for funding for the schools, and even when the athletics and extracurriculars were allowed back in the schools they came with a hefty price tag.
The pay-to-participate fee was just far too great for most of the families in the district to afford and it seemed like the future of their academic programs and extracurricular activities was bleak.
Now that the award winning director has stepped in, however, there is a gleam of hope for all the schools in the region.
The generous $100,000 donation will go party to Success Beyond the Classroom, the foundation that Mulvany started, and partly to Finland Middle School.
Mulvany spoke to The Columbia Dispatch to express her gratitude and to emphasize just how major Tyler’s contribution really was.
“Hundreds of kids will be helped by what he did today,” she said with a bright smile on her face.
As for Perry, he spoke to the media about how beautiful of a cause it was that he donated to and even took the time to remind everyone that when it comes time to cut back on spending children shouldn’t be the first ones to lose out.
“That is so much hope and joy and love in that room and what is so exciting about them all is that they all have a story,” the 43-year-old screenwriter said. “I think children are sometimes pushed aside, but the stories in that room can move a mountain.”
During his visit at the middle school he even spoke to the room of excited children and let them know that they are the ones who have inspired him.
“I just wanted to see your faces and say hi to you because you inspire me so much,” he said as the children and parents began snapping pictures on their phones and iPads.
While the $100,000 donation still won’t be enough to rescue an entire district, his donation has not only given a huge jump start towards progress but it has also given the district even more media attention that will encourage others to do their part as well.
