January 28, 2008

I Love Tyler ISD Campaign Volunteers

Creating Historical Results

NOTE: Photo Opportunity Tuesday, January, 29 at 9:30 a.m. when the volunteers have a work day at the Administration Building located at 1319 New Sunnybrook Drive, Tyler.

A collection of volunteers across the Tyler community have banded together to make this year’s “I Love Tyler ISD” campaign the most successful annual fund drive in the Tyler ISD Foundation’s 17 year history.

“Our thirty member board of directors is the most valuable group of volunteers since their main function is to make the ‘asks’ of donors to provide private dollars in support.” said Larry Goddard, Tyler ISD Foundation Executive Director. “But, we are fortunate to have many other volunteers who give their time, effort, and resources to make sure we meet our fundraising goals in support of the Tyler school district.”

Five members of the Junior League of Tyler, Inc. have each volunteered 60 hours for the Foundation grant program but also have assisted with some of the other campaign duties.  These volunteers include Gay Smith, Kim Farrell, Lisa Preddy, Amy Mullins, and Shelly Calhoun.  

“The Junior League members do everything necessary to make our teacher grant program grow and encompass more and more of the district’s teachers, teams of teachers, campus, and even district-wide programs,” said Goddard. “They not only provide financial support for our program but add at least 300 volunteer hours.”

Another group of volunteers to the campaign have a special connection to Tyler ISD.  Virginia Buchanan, who started elementary school at Bonner Elementary in the 1920’s, is part of a team who helps with clerical duties such as stuffing envelopes for direct mail solicitations of the campaign.

Mrs. Buchanan, who is a Tyler High School graduate, had two children graduate from Tyler high schools.  Her father was a Tyler Junior College trustee for many years.

“I believe in the power of education and sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Tyler ISD teachers and administrators,” said Buchanan, who is also a major donor to the I Love Tyler ISD Campaign.

Wynell Goddard, retired Tyler Junior College faculty member, also volunteers her time doing clerical duties.

“My mother has volunteered for some school activity every since I was in the first grade and she was ‘room mother’.   She’s been a scout den mother, PTA president, and worked countless concession booths when I was in school,” said Larry Goddard. “I guess even though I’m 49, she’s still volunteering to help with a school-related activity.”

Last year, Mrs. Goddard donated a named grant to honor her husband’s memory, Dr. Alton Goddard.  The grant went to Hogg Middle School for aviation software for the technology students.

Margaret Odum, a community volunteer, has volunteered to send out the fund-raising information as well.  “The three of us are great friends and we have a wonderful time helping the Tyler ISD Foundation assist our public schools in Tyler,” said Odum.

“Some of our best volunteers for this campaign are the administrators, teachers, and students, and their parents of Tyler ISD,” concluded Goddard.  “They are constantly sending us ideas and recommendations for donors to the campaign.  And, when we meet with students and teachers and hear all the stories of success happening in our Tyler ISD classrooms, it makes it easy for us to ask for donations.”

The I Love Tyler ISD campaign is chaired by Ross Conner and will conclude March 19^th at the next board meeting at Peete Elementary.  The final results of the campaign will be announced at that time.

For information about donating to the I Love Tyler ISD Campaign, contact Larry Goddard at (903) 262-1144 or P.O. Box 2035, Tyler, Texas 75710.