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Fund total climbs as graduates inspire donors to give to school system

Date: 3/30/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD A group of Springfield high school graduates presented a different kind of report card last week and the consensus was they aced it.

Members of the Classical High School Class of 1957 met at the High School of Commerce on Wednesday to announce the results so far of their fundraising effort to support the needs of the city s schoolteachers through DonorsChoose.org. The original $10,000 raised by the class in honor of their 50th anniversary had increased to $35,000 with additional donations. So far, that money has funded 75 teacher-designed projects listed on the DonorsChoose Web site reaching over 6,000 students in the district and helping 60 percent of the city s schools.

All of this was accomplished in less than one year.

Acknowledging the fiscal crisis affecting the city and the nation, Larry DeRose, who has spearheaded the Springfield Public School Alumni Gift Program, said, "In this climate, it s important to focus on the good news."

Mayor Domenic Sarno, who attended the press event, noted his task once returning to City Hall was to chair a hearing on the fiscal year 2010 school budget.

He said of the $35,000, "This is money we need to enhance the education of our children."

The Springfield page on DonorsChoose is the busiest one of any Massachusetts school district on the site, DeRose added.

"What is happening in Springfield is amazing," Thalia Theodore, the Northeast executive director of DonorsChoose.org, said.

The DonorsChoose Web site allows teachers to present a request for books, computer equipment or musical instruments, among other items, that are needed to support a specific educational program. Donors can then send in donations that can help fund or completely fund the need. In many cases the donations from individuals is matched with money granted to DonorsChoose by a number of charitable foundations.

All of the donors are thanked by the students for their donations and all of the donations are tax deductible.

DeRose and the other class members who worked on the project are hoping that other class groups and organizations would consider helping the city s school children by underwriting projects through DonorsChoose.

DeRose thanked School Superintendent Dr. Alan Ingram for his assistance that made the effort a success. He said that Ingram met with DeRose and his group, informed teachers and principals of the program and designated an advocate from the School department for the program.

For more information or to donate, log onto www.donorschoose.org/springfield.