Support Our Youth and Families February 2020 | Page 7

FORMER STUDENT THASUNDA BROWN
DUCKETT GIFTS KINDNESS BENCHES TO
ARLINGTON ISD
Sam Houston High School graduate Thasunda Brown The foundation began five years ago as a way for
Duckett, who is now the CEO of Chase Consumer Duckett and her siblings to advance the legacy of
Banking, is organizing a fundraising campaign to their parents. Duckett is the founder and chair of the
purchase kindness benches that will be installed at all foundation. Its mission is to highlight extraordinary
53 Arlington ISD elementary schools. people, organizations and corporations that utilize
ordinary resources to enhance the well-being of
The Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation, which is named
individuals, families and communities.
for Duckett’s parents, will fundraise to provide more than
$130,000 for kindness benches at every Arlington ISD “The Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation is honored to
elementary school. Duckett made the announcement further its vision of community collaboration through
Friday during her keynote speech at the Greater entities like the Arlington ISD in order to more effectively
Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s ninth annual Inspired meet the needs of local children and families,” said
Women Luncheon. The campaign will run through the Duckett, who graduated from Sam Houston in 1991. “We
foundation. The foundation will ensure every elementary are excited to think about the extraordinary impact of
campus has a kindness bench through this effort. lessons that may come out of the kindness benches for
the students of Arlington ISD.”
“OUR SUCCESS IN THE ARLINGTON ISD
DEPENDS ON AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY
AND WHAT THASUNDA AND HER
FOUNDATION ARE DOING WITH THIS
FUNDRAISER SPEAKS TO THAT. WE ARE A
DISTRICT THAT PROMOTES KINDNESS AND
OUR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WILL HAVE
REMINDERS OF THAT EVERY TIME THEY’RE
ON THE PLAYGROUND. THASUNDA HAS
HELPED MAKE THAT POSSIBLE, AND WE’RE
GRATEFUL.”
— AISD SUPERINTENDENT DR. MARCELO CAVAZOS
The benches are intended to promote kindness and
inclusion among students. The foundation’s plan is to
engage local businesses, organizations and other non-
profits to donate money for the cost of the benches. A
$2,500 donation covers the cost of the bench, concrete
pad and a donation plaque that will include the donor’s
name.
The benches, made of cast iron with a thermoplastic
finish, will be integrated into the new playground designs
that are part of the recently passed $966-million bond.