Posted 11:11 pm Wednesday, October 03, 2012
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St. Paul Children's Foundation exceeds fundraising goal
St. Paul Children's Foundation exceeded its $1.5 million goal with $1.7 million -- a pleasant surprise for campaign organizers, campaign chairman David Brown said.
"The generosity of the people of Tyler surprised me," he said. "God touched peoples' hearts, and they supported us. We are really blessed."
The nonprofit runs a variety of programs; it is most well-known for its medical and dental clinics, but also provides an after-school program, school uniforms, a Christmas gift program, a clothes closet and a food pantry.
The food pantry will be named after Mary Tracy, a long-time donor to the organization. Organization officials approached the family after John Tracy's death to honor the couple.
"The Tracys were good people and very private people," said Jim Walker, a family friend who spoke on the family's behalf.
Walker recalled the story of when Mrs. Tracy first toured the St. Paul facility.
"She told me to wait in the truck, then when she came back, she said 'Find out who cleans this place.' I said 'Is something wrong?' And she said 'No, you could eat off the floor,'" he said.
Tracy didn't want anything named after him when he died, but he suggested that something could be named after his wife. They were married 62 years.
A donor wall for the Bridge Campaign also was unveiled at Tuesday's event.
"St. Paul is a remarkable place," said Dr. Duane Andrews, board member and development committee ch-airman for 2012. "We all look for meaning in our lives. I think that's why they (staff and volunteers) come here and stay, because they find meaning."
