MACK AND SALLY BROWN HONORED FOR RISE SCHOOL COMMITMENT
Non-profit school to be named Sally and Mack Brown Rise School of Austin; Friends of Mack launch capital campaign to raise funds, awareness
AUSTIN, TX—The University of Texas at Austin head football Coach Mack Brown and Sally Brown were honored today for their long-term, personal commitment to the Rise School of Austin. A permanent site for the Rise School of Austin was unveiled during a surprise birthday event hosted by The Friends of Mack in honor of Coach Brown’s 60thbirthday.
The new Rise School will be named the Sally and Mack Brown Rise School of Austin.
“There’s no one quite like Sally and Coach Brown when it comes to supporting the Rise School and its kids,” said Rise Across Texas Foundation Chairman Steve Hicks. “Coach Brown’s commitment to these kids is every bit as intense as his drive to win on the football field. Mack and Sally have given so much to the Rise Schools, we felt strongly that this was an appropriate way to honor them for their energy and efforts. ”
The non-profit Rise School of Austin provide the highest-quality early childhood and preschool education to children with special needs and their typically developing peers. While the its temporary home is on a church campus in north central Austin, the new Sally and Mack Brown Rise School of Austin will be located near The University of Texas and Dell Children’s Medical Center on Manor Road in Austin.
“I’ve known Mack and Sally for many years, and this honor is well deserved,” said The University of Texas Men’s Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds. “It’s our chance to recognize the Brown’s years of commitment to the Rise School and to our shared goal of creating a state-of-the-art, permanent facility where the unique needs of children with developmental disabilities can be met.”
The Friends of Mack, Texans committed to raising funds and awareness for the Rise School of Austin, also announced the launch of its capital campaign during the burnt-orange tinged birthday festivities.
The school received a $1 million land grant, and the Friends of Mack will work to raise an additional $3 million in funds to build the permanent 20,000 square foot facility.
“We couldn’t have made it this far without the strong support of Sally and Mack Brown, our dedicated board, committed parents and the kids,” said Rise School of Austin Director Emily Greer. “We’ve come so far since our opening in 2003, and we’re thrilled to have the Friends of Mack backing our future growth and progress.”
The Rise School serves children ages six months to six years, and approximately 50 percent of Rise students have special needs including Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome, sensory integration dysfunction, other chromosomal disorders and general developmental delays.
“I love that you can have a classroom filled with children with special needs and typically developing children and they really don’t see the difference – that’s just their friend sitting next to them,” said Rise School of Austin teacher Joylyn Boggs.
To support the Friends of Mack and learn about upcoming events and activities, visit www.friendsofmack.org, Facebook.com/FriendsofMack and Twitter @FriendsofMack.
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Media Contact for Friends of Mack: Jennifer Waisath Harris, (512) 773-7168 or jharris@jwhcommunications.com
Friends of Mack is a grassroots fundraising campaign to benefit the Rise Across Texas Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, that will fund construction of a permanent Rise School in Austin.
To donate or join the Friends of Mack, visit us online at www.friendsofmack.org, on Facebook (FriendsofMack) and Twitter @FriendsofMack.
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