Texas
4-H families asked to support
feature
film opening Feb. 17
By Paul Schattenberg
AgriLife Communications
Texas A&M University System
COLLEGE
STATION – 4-H families are encouraged to support Deep in the Heart – a
full-length feature film about the remarkable life of Richard “Dick” Wallrath,
the top individual financial contributor to Texas 4-H and Texas FFA scholarship
programs, said a Texas 4-H administrator.
Wallrath’s
overall contributions to 4-H and FFA, including scholarship contributions
through his educational foundation, currently exceed $16 million.
“We
sincerely request that 4-H families see this film about Dick Wallrath’s life
for two reasons,” said Dr. Chris Boleman, director of the 4-H and youth
development program of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. “First, we feel
this story of overcoming personal challenges, discovering what’s truly
important in life and second chances will resonate with many families. Second,
because of Mr. Wallrath’s continued generosity, a portion of all ticket sales
will go to both Texas 4-H and Texas FFA.”
The
money donated from ticket sales will go to further strengthen much-needed
scholarship programs, Boleman said.
“Mr.
Wallrath also has provided tremendous financial assistance to 4-H and FFA
members through his participation in livestock show premium auctions, including
buying show steers at junior auctions in major shows throughout Texas,” he
said. “In addition, he established the Richard Wallrath Educational Foundation,
which to date has funded almost $8 million in scholarships to high school
students who’ve enrolled in Texas universities.”
According
to documentation, during Wallrath’s 13-year involvement with the Houston
Livestock Show and Rodeo, he has purchased 130 steers, including three reserve
champion and three grand champions, one of which he bought for $601,000 – a
world record. He also has purchased six grand champions at the Star of Texas
show in Austin, and two grand champions, one reserve champion and 82 breed
champions at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. Wallrath’s combined
purchases at these shows totals more than $5 million. In addition, he recently
bought the grand champion steer at the 2012 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo for
$230,000, which was the most ever paid for a champion steer in the history of
that event.
From
2006 to the present, the Richard Wallrath Educational Foundation has awarded a
total of 780 $10,000 scholarships to 4-H and FFA members, with more than 500
students who have received these scholarships currently attending Texas
universities.
Deep
in the Heart opens Feb. 17 at theaters throughout Texas. The 113-minute feature
film stars Jon Gries (Napoleon Dynamite; Real Genius), Elaine Hendrix (The
Parent Trap), DB Sweeney (Eight Men Out; Memphis Belle; Fire In The Sky) and
Val Kilmer (Top Gun; Tombstone; Batman Forever) and was directed by Christopher
Cain, who directed Young Guns, Pure Country and Pure Country 2.
“This
film tracks Mr. Wallrath’s life story from losing everything to rediscovering
his faith and finding redemption with the support of his family,” said Jim
Reeves, executive director of the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation.
“After struggling with alcoholism and the loss of a child, Wallrath once again
found his faith and was given a second chance, which he made the most of by
building a successful business with his sons. He has generously shared the
financial fruits of that business with 4-H and FFA members, who he calls the
‘future leaders’ of our country.”
Reeves
said the success of the film’s opening weekend will have a significant impact
on plans for its nationwide release.
More
information on Deep in the Heart can be found at: http://texas4hfoundation.org/deepintheheart. For information on
Texas theater locations showing this film, go to http://texas4hfoundation.org/deepintheheart/locations/.
“While
Dick Wallrath’s story is a Texas and an American success story, it is also a
human success story that speaks to the four H’s of our program – heart, head,
hands and health – as well as to the importance of treating others with
fairness and respect,” Boleman said. “4-H families and others will be inspired
by this movie and by the man who has lived by the concept that we make a living
by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
To view a 2:11 film trailer and movie poster, go to: http://agrilife.org/today/2012/02/08/deep-in-the-heart/
No comments:
Post a Comment