Ryan Culver is not the typical giver to the Bishop’s Faith Appeal. For starters he’s single, doesn’t wear a collar and he’s only 12.
Culver attends St. Charles Borromeo, Nederland, and heard about the BFA at his parish and also at home from his parents. Tonya Culver and her husband Mark have been giving to BFA since its inception. Two years ago they were new participation chairs for BFA.
“Ryan decided to make a pledge this year of $10. We’ve always been very active, the whole family has, so it wasn’t surprising that he wanted to participate,” Tanya Culver said.
Ryan Culver received his pledge statement a few weeks ago and immediately ran up to his room and retrieved $10 so he could send his donation back as soon as possible.
“I was so proud because he didn’t forget that he had pledged, and he didn’t ask me to take care of it for him. He was so excited to put his own money in the envelope. He came downstairs and asked if I could put it in the mail as soon as I could,” Tonya Culver said.
Ryan attends C.O. Wilson Middle School in Nederland and is a sixth grader. He’s eagerly waiting to join the youth group at St. Charles and is excited about becoming more active in church as he gets older.
“I want to give because it’s the right thing to do. I really love my church and the community. It’s just a good feeling to give,” Ryan Culver said.
He plans to keep giving every year, and he hopes to encourage others his age to start early in their giving as well.
“I would like for everyone to give to the BFA. My family has always given and now I’ve started, and it’s a good feeling. My church community is great, and I want to help when I can,” Ryan Culver said.
