Perry's year as 'First Fundraiser'

AUSTIN - When fire gutted the Texas Governor’s Mansion, Anita Perry’s world changed dramatically.

As the state’s First Lady, she had spent much of her time on women’s and children’s health issues. Now, she refocused most of her energy on raising the money needed to rebuild the historic home.

In the last year, she helped raise nearly 3 and a half million private dollars, but what she did not plan on was Hurricane Ike hitting her state and the recession hitting the country just a short time later.

“People have really had to cut back and set their priorities,” said Anita Perry. “They go, we really want to help you with this project. We can't give you what we'd like to give you, but we can give you this amount."

Standing out from the challenges have been the surprises. Mrs. Perry likes to tell the stories of those Texans who have come from all walks of life to give what they can.

“One is a young girl in east Texas who saw the fire burning, and she had visited there with her grandparents. When she got back to school in the fall, she spoke with her history teacher about starting a fund,” said Mrs. Perry. "A man incarcerated in Huntsville -- he sent in 6-dollars.”

Mrs. Perry says she works on the restoration efforts on a daily basis. She is thrilled the state legislature recently allocated $22-million dollars enabling her team to finally start the rebuilding process. In the coming days, the restoration team will send out a request for architectural proposals. Within the next few months, the actual restorations could begin. For the state’s First Lady, that day will be one that has been a long time coming, but one she is determined to see become reality.

"You know you really don't miss something until it's gone,” said Mrs. Perry. “I never really realize how much I missed that house until it was no longer there to have to share with the people of Texas. It's the people's house."

Austin teacher develops new curriculum after fire

Austin teacher Sally Hunter was moved by the mansion fire to create a new 4th grade social studies curriculum teaching the history of the governor's mansion.  She created the lessons that any teacher can get for free and use in his or her classroom.  The lessons are titled, "This House is Your House."