Wal-Mart employees from left Chad Rohr, Angie Stoner, David Mooneyhan and Christina Tucker present a check for $15,000 to Mary and Mya Gonzales and Dana Hilbert, Rise School of Stillwater director. The gift will be used to support the Rise School of Stillwater which will open Oct. 15.

Executives and local associates of Wal-Mart recently presented $15,000 to the Mya Gonzales Foundation. The gift will be used to support the creation of the Rise School of Stillwater, a unique preschool which will open in October.

“When I  heard about the Rise School and the impact it could have on the children in the Stillwater community and across the state, I wanted to learn more about how Wal-Mart could get involved,” said Angela Stoner senior manager of public affairs for Wal-Mart in Oklahoma and Kansas.

The school, which is part of OSU’s College of Human Environmental Sciences, provides exceptional opportunities for children from 18 months to 31/2 years who have Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities as well as to children who are developing typically. Located in a wing of the Stillwater Head Start building, the school will have 2 classrooms each staffed with teachers who have master’s degrees and 2 assistants to provide individualized attention.

“At Wal-Mart, we are committed to giving back to communities we serve by supporting issues and causes that are important to our customers and associates in their own neighborhoods,” Stoner said.

“We are thrilled Wal-Mart has recognized the need for a specialized educational opportunity for children and their families in Stillwater and the surrounding communities,” said Dana Hilbert, director of the Rise School.  “Their support will go a long way to help create the type of environment we plan to have at the Rise School.”

After their daughter Mya was born with Down syndrome, Mary and Jimmy Gonzales visited Rise Schools in Dallas, Austin and the original school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama researching available services that would help their daughter. The Rise School of Stillwater is the result of their passion to provide an educational and therapeutic option for children and their families who are facing the challenges and obstacles that come with raising children with special needs. Enrollment is open to children of all abilities to provide an inclusive educational program that fosters understanding and acceptance.

“We are extremely grateful to Wal-Mart for this gift. The Rise School will make a huge difference in children’s lives and Wal-Mart’s support will help make our dream a reality,” Mary Gonzales said.

“We are pleased to be making this initial investment and look forward to working with the Rise School in the future,” Stoner said.

Enrollment at the Rise School is open to children from 18 months to 31/2 years in Stillwater and surrounding communities.  For more information call 405-744-7767 or visit the web at www.ches.okstate.edu/rise.