Tulsa Adventist Academy Overwhelmed by Donor Generosity
TULSA, OKLA. – As the 2022-2023 school year began, Tulsa Adventist Academy (TAA) staff were excitedly preparing their classrooms, beaming about the increase in enrollment and new teachers. Over the summer, the school transitioned to online registration and financial aid applications, so there was a slight learning curve that revealed not everyone who had requested aid would receive it. Families were notified of the lack of funds and/or late application status. Seventeen children would be unable to return to school without additional funding from donors. Meanwhile, a local church member had accidentally left $1,000 in cash at the church, though he does not normally carry that much in his wallet. That particular Sabbath, Ruth Vargas, the 7th and 8th grade teacher, pleaded with her church members to give what God moved them to give to help the 17 students return to school. As she left the stage, a man motioned to her and gave her ten $100 bills. He told her, “Now I know why I was carrying this cash around all week!” The following week the same man told Vargas that, when he went to work on Monday, he received an unexpected bonus of $1,000. Elated, he shared that he was blessed by his giving.
Other teachers and staff also raised more than $15,000 in gifts and pledges in about two weeks, enabling all 17 students to attend TAA. The families of these students are also contributing to their children’s tuition, so the blessings continue to rain down on our growing school! TAA teachers and staff are truly thankful for every donation from those with a heart for Christian education. Thank you for helping us fulfill our mission to prepare students for Heaven!
By Caroline Fisher