Oprah Gives $365,000 check to Atlanta School
Posted on January 5, 2009
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The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta got an unexpected holiday gift from Oprah Winfrey: an unsolicited check for $365,000. Ron Clark, founder of the academy, a private school in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, had twice appeared on Ms. Winfrey’s television show. But he was not expecting the unsolicited donation that fluttered out of a letter from her. Ms. Winfrey made the gift through the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, which frequently contributes to educational programs. Mr. Clark wrote “The Essential 55,†a best-selling book about teaching. The donation, which likely will go to scholarships for students, would pay for 26 children to attend the school for one year.
In her letter to Clark, Winfrey calls him a role model and applauds the “profound difference you’re making with your passion for teaching.” The check was issued by the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, which gave $US4 million to educational programs in 2008 and $US3.5 million in 2006. Clark and his students became overnight stars during the presidential election when a video of the students performing a political rap they wrote grabbed the public’s attention on YouTube. The children ended up performing the rap, called “Vote However U Like,” on national TV networks including CNN and BET. Teachers at the school frequently use rapping, dancing and drumming to help students learn. Nearly all of its 80 students are from middle- and low-income households. Parents pay a small part of the tuition and the rest is paid by donors.
Whew good work Oprah and keep up the good work. Ever think of donating to charities in India ?
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