By SALLY SEXTON
The relationship between Trinity Christian Academy and its surrounding community has worked out well for both parties since the school’s creation in 1993.
Recently, Trinity Christian benefitted once again from the community’s support when it announced its first ever Corporate Sponsorship Program.
“[Founder and Director of Development] Marsha Barber got the idea last summer after seeing others do it,” TCA Assistant Director of Development Susie Henning said. “We had no idea how successful it was going to be, but we were blown away with how much we were able to raise.”
Through the program, local families and businesses can contribute to six levels of giving — the Diamond Level ($10,000 or more), the Platinum Level ($7,500 or more), the Gold Level ($5,000 and up), the Silver Level ($2,500 and up), the Bronze Level ($1,000 or more) and the Corporate Associate Level ($500 or more.)
Rewards for donors included complimentary tickets to athletic events and graduation, company articles in the school’s newsletter, free advertising in the yearbook, recognition signs along Interstate 20, a link on TCA’s website and more.
“We were able to get $62,000 in our very first year doing this,” Henning said. “It blew us away.”
TCA administrators have already determined places for the funds, including an outside cover to go over the elementary’s new playground; a new cover for the gymnasium floor; seating, sound system and staging equipment for this year’s Spring Musical; and technology upgrades.
A ceremony was recently held, honoring all of TCA’s corporate partner companies with gift baskets provided by Petal Pushers Flower Shoppe — 47 Fish Inc., Generator Solutions, Armadrillco, Firefighting’s Finest Moving, Texas Energy Control Products, Tri Cities Urgent Care, Energy Risk Management, CJ Air Conditioning and Heating, Red River Concrete Services, Green Apple Therapy, Matrix Demolition, Texas Insta Print, First Financial Bank, Joe R. Jones Construction and Tower Digital.
The companies participating this year were all directly linked to TCA families, but the institution hopes to gradually get more and more of the general public involved.
“In a month or so, we’ll begin contacting our partners to see if they want to renew their sponsorships,” Henning said. “We’ll start with our TCA families and we’re considering expanding and getting more companies around the area involved.”
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