H.R. No. 250
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Lisa Stoyak of Tomball has instituted the Ultimate
Gift program in her classroom at Northpointe Intermediate School,
and this far-reaching initiative has proven an outstanding learning
tool that greatly benefits those in need; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by the book The Ultimate Gift by Jim
Stovall, Ms. Stoyak's Ultimate Gift program introduces students to
the value of giving; each member of her class is provided $5, and is
assigned the task of multiplying the money so that it can be donated
to a charitable purpose; the funds given to the students come
directly from Ms. Stoyak, whose personal generosity offers the
students an inspiring example of philanthropy; and
WHEREAS, In the inaugural year of the program in 2007, Ms.
Stoyak's students found innovative ways to raise thousands of
dollars for local causes such as Sunshine Kids, Tomball Emergency
Assistance Ministries, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,
and the Make-A-Wish Foundation; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, the students chose to donate their proceeds
to Living Water International, a worldwide water rehabilitation
program; through diligence and ingenuity, Ms. Stoyak's sixth
graders raised more than $7,000 in less than two weeks and used it
to help provide clean wells for residents of the hurricane-ravaged
Caribbean nation of Haiti; this project was especially close to the
hearts of the students because their own area suffered damage from
Hurricane Ike in 2008; once the project was complete, the students
held a drive to collect toiletry items such as soap, toothpaste, and
toothbrushes to further assist residents of Haiti; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Stoyak and her students have continued their
philanthropic work beyond their classroom exercise by encouraging
every student at Northpointe Intermediate to donate one book to a
new Ronald McDonald Library being built in the area; in this manner,
the students are passing along the valuable lessons they have
learned in the course of their participation in the Ultimate Gift
program; and
WHEREAS, The all-important concept of helping others is an
essential and timeless value, and Lisa Stoyak has developed a
program that allows children to realize their ability to make a
positive difference in the world; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Lisa Stoyak and her students at
Northpointe Intermediate School for the tremendous achievements of
the Ultimate Gift program and extend to them sincere best wishes for
continued success in all their endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Stoyak as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Riddle
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 250 was adopted by the House on
February 10, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House