On Monday afternoon Bill Parrish showed WCPO the damage vandals created at Eckstein School. That story was seen by Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Ted Karras, who decided he wanted to help.
Earlier this week, we shared the story of the historic Eckstein School being broken into and vandalized.
On Monday afternoon Bill Parrish, whos non-profit Eckstein Cultural Arts Center is the new owners of the Eckstein School, showed me the damage vandals created all throughout the school the week before.
That story was seen by Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Ted Karras, who decided he wanted to help.
I was watching the Monday night game, and then the news came on afterwards and Bill, Mr. Parrish was telling his story and I just felt compelled and kind of indigent with someone breaking in and vandalizing someone trying to do so much good, said Karras.
Parrish says when Karras first called him, he thought it was a prank. Though right away he was able to tell Karras cared about the Eckstein School.
It really dawned on me that he sees the vision for this, said Parrish.
On Wednesday, Parrish showed Karras around the school and what the vandals had left behind. Including a new message written into dust from expired fire hydrants, reading I was here. Signed with the signature AS.
He came in and then I knew, he already immediately connected to what he felt his purpose was, and I think what he saw was disgusting to him, said Parrish.
Karras told me to help rebuild a historic building such as Eckstein School is an honor.
How this building has survived and for it to have a kind of a renaissance into a new purpose and use is something very special, said Karras. And I’m very honored to throw my name in the ring to help out.
Parrish says he and his team have been trying to find a construction crew with the heart for this project, and he believes God sent Karras.
I have this attitude that when the right person is supposed to come God will send them, said Parrish. He sent Ted.
Parrish added that Karras has a heart for not only rebuilding the church, but for the nonprofit’s mission to make it a community arts center for local youth.
Karras and his construction company, Paradigm, will meet with Parrish and his team on Friday to discuss next steps. And when it comes time for cleanup, he hopes to bring a few friends.
Hopefully we get some Bengals faces there, get everybody out, raise some money, and get this building cleaned up, said Karras.