Marlisa Harding

Lake Charles Charter Academy and Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy staff and teachers will receive a $70,000 donation from The Giving Tree Foundation, a non-profit founded by Charter Schools USA founder John Hage. The donation is designed to show gratitude for the hard work teachers and staff have shown amidst Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

“It’s just a way of showing team members that despite their personal challenges they’re appreciated…It’s the benevolent gesture,” Gene Thibodeaux, Lake Charles Charter Foundation president, said. 

While presenting the donation, Hage said it represents the “family” of Charter Schools USA. “When I look around this room, I don’t see despair. I see strength. Be encouraged. Lake Charles may be a devastated city, but it is still standing because Lake Charles is not its buildings. People are what make Lake Charles. You are Lake Charles.” 

Sherry Cryer, a seventh-grade teacher at SLCA, was a recipient of the donation. While she stayed during Hurricane Laura, she determined to leave for Delta’s arrival. 

“It was pretty scary with the windows vibrating and water coming through them. Then we heard a very loud crash and realized that we lost a big part of our roof. That was when the hurricane became a terrifying reality,” she said. “When we realized Delta was coming our way, we evacuated because we suffered significant damage to our house and couldn’t take the chance of staying again.” 

With only a tarp on her home for Delta, there was little left upon their return. “We lost almost everything.” 

All despair is not lost, however, due in part to the Charter school’s generosity. “This is my first year teaching at Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy and I’ve been overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and generosity,” she said. 

Cryer said she plans to use the donation for lost food and clothing for the family. “There have been plenty of unforeseen bills that have come up and this generous donation will really help.” 

Powerlines

Rick Hickman