THE WOODLANDS
THE C H WOODLANDS RISTIAN
A C A D E M ACADEMY Y CHRISTIAN DECEMBER 5, 2014
Exciting News! -- by Julie Ambler Several weeks ago, I announced the theme and use of proceeds for our annual Auction & Gala. The Warrior Derby, chaired by Gayle and Steve Brand, will be held on Saturday, April 25 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott; and all of the net proceeds raised will be applied toward our greatest fund-a-need, which is a 400-meter eight-lane track. A track will benefit every student at Woodlands Christian, from preschool through 12th grade, and every athlete, from golfers to volleyball players to runners. Track is also our school’s largest competitive sport. According to our students, a track is their highest priority for improving our campus. Installing a 400-meter eight-lane track is expensive. Our first requirement is to fix the drainage on the football field at a cost of $550,000. The cost of the track itself, including a state-of-the-art surface and various jump areas is $1,000,000, for a cumulative total of $1,550,000. Of course, as good stewards, we will not spend more than we raise but, if we receive more than this amount, the cost of stadium seating for 1,500 with a press box would be about $550,000 and the cost of turf on the football field would be $500,000. Richie’s Pharmacy has generously agreed to sponsor our auction with $100,000, enabling us to cover all of our direct auction costs. Additionally, we have applied the $130,688 given in excess of our annual fund goal to the auction. As well, our Booster Club has offered to contribute 100% of their net proceeds from the Sporting Clay Tournament in February toward the track.
I am very pleased to announce that The Woodlands Christian Academy has received an additional gift of $1,000,000 toward the construction of the track. This represents the largest single gift in our school’s history! Furthermore, the anonymous donor has requested that the track be named in honor of Coach Tom Earle. Coach Earle and his family have been involved with Woodlands Christian for fourteen years. His daughters Rebecca and Rachel graduated in 2012 and 2014. Coach Earle has served on the Governance Board for six years and led the high school mission trip to Quito, Ecuador. His greatest joy has been coaching here part-time for the past six years. Under his leadership, our track team grew to 86 athletes last spring, and our cross-country team included 36 runners. The girls’ varsity crosscountry team recently won the TAPPS 3A state championship. Coach Earle trains athletes well but, more importantly, he inspires them to discover their unique talents and achieve their full potential in Christ. He has invested so much into Woodlands Christian, and I am delighted that the donor wishes to honor Coach Tom Earle. With such a significant financial gift, we are close to our goal of completing the track. If you wish to know more about other naming opportunities or potential improvements, please contact Kellie Armstrong or me. We are humbled and blessed by this extraordinary gift to our students. Please help us finish the race by April 25, and let’s give our students the very best venues for growing spiritually, academically, physically and socially!
5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET