AUSTIN—Texas first lady Anita Perry is asking Texans for donations to help pay for rebuilding the fire-damaged Governor’s Mansion.

“I know there are wonderful, gracious, kind Texans all over this state, throughout the world and across our nation who want to help,” Gov. Rick Perry’s wife said Tuesday in launching the nonprofit Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund. The mansion was nearly destroyed by fire June 8.

Donations will be tax-deductible, and the first was $10,000 from the Heritage Society of Austin.

Anita Perry said she would talk to her husband about making a personal donation from the governor’s family. She did not know how much it would be.

“With Texans’ help and support, this beautiful home will be restored and renewed again to reflect the pride and distinction of the Lone Star State,” she said.

Perry said she also hopes to work with the Legislature to bring in state money for the project.

Perry didn’t project a fundraising goal as the cost of the renovation isn’t known while officials continue to assess damage from the fire. Investigators believe an arsonist targeted the 152-year-old landmark, leaving it with collapsed ceilings, a charred staircase and scorched walls covered with black soot.

No arrests have been made, and investigators have not publicly identified a suspect.

The mansion was already undergoing an estimated $10 million restoration project when it was set on fire. The Perrys had moved out and were renting another home in Austin. They were in Sweden the night of the fire.

John Braun of Braun & Butler Construction, the company handling the renovation project, said workers have cleared debris off the first floor and put in supports for the second floor. Once the second story is cleared of debris, workers can replace the heavily damaged roof with a temporary one.

Perry said she immediately wanted to lead the fundraising effort once she heard of the fire.

“When we found out about it, while we were gone, I said to Rick, ’You know, I want this. I want to do this. I want to do it for the state of Texas. I want to do it for the people of Texas,”’ she said.

Perry said she planned to talk to the families of former governors about enlisting their help in the effort. She said she doesn’t know if President Bush and first lady Laura Bush, who lived in the mansion from 1995-2000, would donate.



Donations:

Donations can be made securely online with a credit card at www.texasonline.com.

Checks payable to the Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund can be mailed to:

Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund

P.O. Box 12878

Austin, TX, 78711-2878.

The public may call 1-866-771-5829 with questions about donating.