May 26, 2010

Press Release

TISD Elementary School’s Artwork Raises $15,000

Proceeds from Children’s Artwork to Benefit Mercy Ships Haiti Earthquake Relief

It is said that the best lesson in life is to learn to give to others.  That lesson is being learned at Dixie Elementary through student art work.  The children at Dixie have partnered with Mercy Ships International to raise funds for the people of Haiti.  Children of Dixie used their own time and talents to help bring a face of love, hope for the healing, empathy for those hurting and compassion for the needy through the donation of their artwork.  The art was then distributed to clubs and organization in the community asking for contributions to their special cause.  What started out as a simple sale of a single piece of art has ballooned into an incredible story—one that has created a huge donation to Mercy Ships and provided a priceless lesson to the students of Dixie Elementary.

A Dixie faculty member approached Todd Cruthird, Suddenlink Senior Vice President of Operations and Tyler ISD Foundation Board Director, with a simple piece of artwork from third grader Raylei Munn.  Crystal Crisp, the Dixie school counselor, explained that the students were ‘selling’ the artwork with the proceeds going to Mercy Ships to benefit Haiti in the aftermath of the recent hurricane.     

“The story of the little girl in the third grade who created this artwork—a collage of fabric displaying a home—touched my heart,” said Cruthird.  “Rather than selling the artwork, I wanted to create a huge donation in the spirit of helping others help others.  I’m not doing this for the benefit of the Foundation or the District, but just to assist the students of Dixie with their sincere efforts of helping a cause they can relate to—children who need hope.”                                        

Cruthird began a crusade.  He framed the artwork in expensive framing and began calling on his network of colleagues, relatives, and friends from all over the United States.  To date, Cruthird has collected $15,000 for the artwork through individual and corporate donations. 

“Certainly, the Foundation gives to others but we have created an enthusiastic program to instill the ‘pay it forward’ philosophy to our students at Tyler ISD,” said Cruthird. When asked where the artwork will be displayed he smiled and said, “I’ve become attached to it so we hope to display prominently in our offices of Suddenlink Communications.”

Pictured from left: Dixie Art Teacher Jennifer Vaughn; third grade student Raylei Munn; State Representative Leo Berman; Suddenlink Senior Vice President of Operations and Tyler ISD Foundation Board Director Todd Cruthird; Mercy Ships representative Kathy Gohmert; and Dixie Elementary Principal Connie Thomas.

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