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Posted on Friday, March 21, 2008

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Tyler ISD Foundation Sets Fundraising Record

Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero

BEST YEAR EVER: Larry Goddard (left), executive director of TISD Foundation, and Ross Conner, campaign chair for the Tyler ISD Foundation, unveil the I Love Tyler ISD Campaign donation amount, $385,015, at the TISD Administration Building on Thursday.

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

The Tyler ISD Foundation announced Thursday that it set a record with this year's "I Love Tyler ISD" campaign, raising more than $385,000, surpassing its goal of $200,000.

"The foundation has been around for 18 years, and this is the most money that's ever been raised in a single year," Larry Goddard, executive director of the foundation, said.

Last year, the campaign raised more than $165,000, which was a record at that time. Officials said this year's amount is an increase of 133 percent compared to last year and is 10 times what was raised in 2005-06.

"We have a community that loves giving," Ross Conner, the foundation's vice president of development and this year's campaign chairperson, said. "I think it's just a start of what we can do."

The money raised is used as designated gifts to the various schools and programs within the district as well as areas of greatest need and grants to teachers and campuses.

"The more money we bring in, the more assistance we can provide the classroom teachers," Goddard said.

The donations also pay for events such as the districtwide convocation at the beginning of the school year, the Teacher of the Year banquet and the Night of Shining Stars academic recognition, which honors the top high school students and their teachers.

TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid, who was the first donor to this year's campaign, was there for the announcement Thursday. He said the school district is proud of its partnership with the foundation.

"We are so appreciative of the foundation, of Mr. Conner, of Mr. Goddard, of the work they've done," Reid said.

TISD School Board Vice President Ron Vickery also expressed appreciation to the foundation on behalf of the TISD Board of Trustees.

Goddard said that the slogan of the campaign says it all, "I Love Tyler ISD."

"And as you can tell ... there's a lot of love for Tyler ISD."

Goddard said that just because this ends the official campaign does not mean people can't still donate.

"We'll continue to add to that figure," he said.

The Tyler ISD Foundation is a nonprofit organization created in 1990 that supports TISD's students, teachers and staff, providing money to programs not usually supported by tax dollars.

Donations may be made by sending contributions to P.O. Box 2035, Tyler, 75710, by calling 262-1144 or by e-mail at foundation@tylerisd.org.

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