LAKELAND, Fla. – After spending her middle-school years at All Saints' Academy, a college preparatory school west of Winter Haven, and prospering, making straight A's and garnering an academic award or two, Ashley Tran got a lesson in economics. The hard way.
Business was off, way off, for her father, Tony, a manicurist at a Lakeland salon. His wife, Samantha, said she didn't earn enough in her government job to cover their daughter's tuition of roughly $9,000 a year.
"With the economy and everything, we said, 'It looks like you'll have to go to George Jenkins (High School),' " Samantha Tran said, recalling Ashley's disappointment at the news.
All Saints had "changed her," Samantha Tran said. "She became so much more independent. She blossomed."
It was close to July 4, about two weeks before Ashley's 15th birthday, when her parents received a telephone call from an official at the private, Episcopal school. An anonymous donor wished to cover a year's tuition so Ashley could stay at All Saints.
"I was like, in shock," said Samantha Tran, who, like her husband, was born in Vietnam. The couple met in Chicago after emigrating to the United States in the early 1980s.
She said they have struggled to give Ashley and their other children, ages 4 and 18, a better life than the one they left behind.
Bursting to tell Ashley the news, her parents kept it a secret until the day of their daughter's birthday. Ashley was overjoyed, but she also was touched at the kindness of her unnamed benefactor. She chose to return the favor by hosting a Christmas party for residents of the Florida Baptist Children's Home in Lakeland. The event, planned for Dec. 5, will be for about 35 guests of honor.
"I was very happy (about the tuition gift)," Ashley said, "and it just made me realize there's some children in society who are deprived of the simplest thing, which is love."
Her gift touched administrators at the children's home. "We feel very fortunate that Ashley chose us," said Eron Green, children's home administrator.
Ashley spent her summer canvassing restaurants and other merchants for donations to make the party a success. Her schoolmates collected clothing and other donations.
Slowly, businesses have started to respond, Ashley said.
At the party there will be Chinese appetizers, spaghetti and meatballs, and a cake. There will be clothes, shoes and other gifts to go around.
Ashley hopes more of the merchants she's contacted will come through in time. She said the party needs to be extra special. "I sent letters out a little over two weeks ago," she said. "I am worried, but I'm always very positive. I hope the rest of them will say yes."
For more information contact the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes at 863-687-8811 or online at www.FBCHomes.org.
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