Members of the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) met with Alice Cox, Director of Special Education at Brownwood ISD, and representatives from Big Country Ford on Friday, May 25th to complete a donation to purchase 11 iPads for the BISD Special Education program.

Cox learned of the VFW’s interest in providing additional iPads, and was later contacted by representatives from the VFW and Big Country Ford.

“Mr. Henry, Life Skills teacher at Woodland, first mentioned to me that Jason Hollis, a parent, had contacted him about a fundraiser,” said Cox.  “I later received phone calls [regarding the donation] from both James Masters, VFW Senior Vice Commander and from Mr. Hollis.”

Currently employed as a technician at Big Country Ford, Hollis is also a member of the men’s auxiliary at the VFW.  Hollis helped make the connection between the entities and a dialog was started about how to move forward with the effort.

The VFW held a Fish Fry on April, 20th as a fundraiser for autism honoring the deceased mother of an autistic student at Woodland Heights Elementary.

“They worked hard to sponsor the fish fry and plan to make it an annual event,” said Cox.  “The meal was absolutely delicious.  It was served during lunch time and you could choose to eat at the VFW Hall or carry out.  Their service was fast and the price of the meal was very reasonable.”

The VFW raised $2500 with the event, and Big Country Ford matched the donated amount bringing the total to $5000 for the purchase of iPads and OtterBoxes.

A previous donation of 5 iPads made by Big Country Ford earlier this year included an offer to match subsequent iPad donations up to 10 units.  With the added VFW donation, a total of 16 iPads have been provided for Special Education classrooms at Brownwood ISD.

“The additional iPads are a fantastic benefit to all the students who will get to use them but especially to the special education students,” said Cox.  “Students are motivated and engaged in learning when using the iPads and there are many applications available to help students understand and remember concepts.”

The iPads have been inventoried and are already being utilized on campuses.

“The iPads were put to immediate use in helping students attending summer school,” said Cox.  “In August, the iPads will be reassigned to teachers across the district that have students with special learning needs.”

Representatives from the VFW presenting the donation included Commander Keith King, Senior Vice Commander, James Masters, Senior Vice President of the Men’s Auxiliary, Travis Reeves, Conductress of the Ladies Auxiliary, Suzanne Dellis, and President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Jane Masters.

Big Country Ford’s general manager Thomas Scull, Hollis, and sales representative, Kurt Newton also attended the meeting that included some of the teachers receiving the new iPads for their classrooms.

“Thomas Scull, Kurt Newton, and Big Country Ford owner Diane Winn deserve a huge round of applause for their initial donation and for being willing to match the funds other businesses or organizations raised,” said Cox.  “We would like to graciously thank the VFW Post and the Auxiliary for their interest and dedication to the students in the community.”

Pictured at top: (Left to right) Jason Hollis (Lube Technician, Big Country Ford), Alice Cox (Director of Special Education, BISD), Thomas Scull (General Manager, Big Country Ford), Jill Shaw-Butts (Teacher, Northwest Elementary), Kurt Newton (Sales Representative, Big Country Ford) Kyra Mills (Teacher, Northwest Elementary), Amy Fisher (Teacher, East Elementary), Janet Nash (Teacher, Northwest Elementary), James Masters (Senior Vice Commander, VFW), Susanne Guidry (Teacher, East Elementary), Lisa Glasson (Teacher, East Elementary), Dana Gossett (Teacher, East Elementary), Keith King (Commander, VFW), Susan Baugh (Teacher, Woodland Heights Elementary), Travis Reeves (Men’s Auxiliary Senior Vice President), Suzanne Dellis (Ladies Auxiliary Conductress, VFW), and Jane Masters (Ladies Auxiliary President, VFW).