THE WEB PAGES FROM AUSTRALIA AOL SITES

Tyler Perry treats Philly kids to Disney World

July 21, 2009, 07:48 PM Post Comments
| More

Tyler Perry is paying for 65 children from a Philadelphia day camp to go to Walt Disney World after reading about allegations that a suburban swim club had shunned them because of racism.

The black and Hispanic children who attend the day camp run by Creative Steps Inc. cheered Monday when they learned about the actor's gift.

Creative Steps director Alethea Wright says she's thrilled about the offer, especially because Perry "comes from humble beginnings" like the children in her camp.

The Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley has maintained that refunding the camp's swimming fee was not about race but rather a safety issue, in part because many children couldn't swim.

Perry is best known for his signature character Madea, a big-hearted but foul-tempered grandmother.

___

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Bruno' premieres around the world

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen poses after a press conference ahead of the Australian premiere of 'Bruno: The Movie' on Macquarie Street on June 29, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen poses after a press conference ahead of the Australian premiere of 'Bruno: The Movie' on Macquarie Street on June 29, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen poses after a press conference ahead of the Australian premiere of 'Bruno: The Movie' on Macquarie Street on June 29, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen poses after a press conference ahead of the Australian premiere of 'Bruno: The Movie' on Macquarie Street on June 29, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen poses after a press conference ahead of the Australian premiere of 'Bruno: The Movie' on Macquarie Street on June 29, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen poses after a press conference ahead of the Australian premiere of 'Bruno: The Movie' on Macquarie Street on June 29, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen poses after a press conference ahead of the Australian premiere of 'Bruno: The Movie' on Macquarie Street on June 29, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

    LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 25: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives at the premiere of Universal's 'Bruno' held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

    Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

    LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 25: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives at the premiere of Universal's 'Bruno' held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

    Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

    LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 25: Atmosphere at the premiere of Universal's 'Bruno' held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

    Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Loading comments service...

Latest Galleries on AOL

Lens eye view
Lens Eye View: Have a look at some of the interesting moments captured on camera by photographers world over.
More Galleries