The Rayfield Wright Foundation awards grant
to Nelson Center for abused, neglected children
Dec. 22 , 2006

DENTON, Texas - The Nelson Children’s Center has received $10,000 from The Rayfield Wright Foundation. The foundation, which bears the name of Dallas Cowboy’s legend and pro football Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright, has pledged to continue its support of the children’s center.

Wright has been personally involved at the Nelson Children’s Center as a mentor, and has participated in the center’s annual “Tomorrow’s Child” golf benefit as a player/fund-raiser and as the event’s honorary chair and featured speaker. The center, an affiliated ministry of Lutheran Social Services, specializes in treating abused, neglected and troubled boys and girls ages 5 to 16.

The grant will be used to enhance the center’s educational program, including the establishment of science, book and journalism clubs. It will also support the therapeutic care that is essential to helping the residents with their emotional and behavioral problems, a direct result of past abuse and neglect.

“Rayfield Wright has a special place in our hearts,” said Cheryl Rayl, chief executive officer of the center. “He is generous with his time as well as with his financial support. Mr. Wright has a genuine concern for our children.”

The Nelson Children’s Center provides its residents with individual and group therapy, structured activities, and on-site education through Trinity Charter School. The center also provides substance abuse education, music therapy, self esteem building and anger management.

Lutheran Social Services is the social service arm of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LSS annually serves more than 35,000 children, elderly and poor in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender or age. Its ministries include children’s residential treatment centers, therapeutic foster care, adoption, retirement and health care communities for seniors, emergency assistance and disaster response.