Tyler Perry surprised students at Finland Middle School in Ohio on Friday by showing up at a music concert and donating $100,000 to student athletes in the areas South-Western schools.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Perry heard about the school’s hardship after watching an episode of “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” on HBO. He learned that teacher Mary Mulvany started a foundation to raise money to help cover student athletic fees.
He was inspired by her efforts. So, he showed up at Findland Middle School with a $100,000 check. “I want to sponsor as many kids as I can,” Perry told onlookers–according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Ohio’s South-Western schools garnered attention from the national media when athletics and extra-curricular activities were cut after a failed levy in 2009. Voters later approved the return of sports programs via a ballot request, but for a fee.
Perry wants to sponsor as many children as possible at Finland Middle School with his donation. However, he says, he would also like a portion of the money to go toward the foundation.
