Perry Sends Rejected Pool Kids to Disney

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posted: 13 DAYS 18 HOURS AGO
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Tyler Perry
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
When actor Tyler Perry heard the news of 65 inner-city children in Pennsylvania being kicked out of a predominantly white pool club, he knew he had to do something to make their summer a little brighter. Courtesy of Perry, the kids will be venturing on an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World.
"I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them," Perry wrote on his Web site. "This is all about the kids."
The Valley Swim Club in suburban Philadelphia revoked the swimming privileges for children from the Creative Steps day-care center after just one visit, despite the fact that the non-profit center had paid upfront for the kids to use the pool throughout the summer. As reported by CNN, some of the black and Hispanic children said they heard racist comments from white members of the club who were wondering "why black children were there."
Club President John Duesler had told two Philadelphia television stations that the children had changed "the complexion" and "atmosphere" of the club. When approached by CNN, Duesler said he had no comment and asked the crew to leave.
The club canceled the agreement with Creative Steps, and returned their $1,950 check without an explanation. On their Web site, the club issued a response saying race wasn't the issue, and their concern was the capacity of their facilities.
But when Perry heard this news, he knew he had to do something immediately to help them, said his publicist Keleigh Thomas.
"He wanted to do something nice for them and let them know that for every negative experience, there are people out there who want them to succeed regardless of the color of their skin," Thomas said.
In August, the kids will be taking a trip to Disney World, with the 'Madea Goes to Jail' and 'House of Pain' star picking up the tab for airfare, food, hotel and admissions for a three-day visit to Disney and a Disney water park.
"I am ecstatic for the children," Alethea Wright, director of the Creative Steps day-care center, told CNN.
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2009-07-21 10:54:30
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