August 21, 2006
Early Childhood Education program receives donation
Contact: Susan Esau, Executive Director, 330-2790 or sesau@usd497.org

The New Generation Society of Lawrence has recently contributed $7,500 to the Lawrence Schools Foundation to support the Lawrence Public Schools early childhood “Readiness” program.  The money will go directly into the classrooms at the Early Childhood and Family Center to subsidize state grant money for preschool education of at-risk four year olds.

The New Generation Society provides educational, volunteer and philanthropic opportunities for its members and is in partnership with the Hall Center for the Humanities.  Alice Ann Johnston, Chairman of the Philanthropy Committee for the Society, presented the check to Steve Glass, President of the Board of Trustees of the Lawrence Schools Foundation, and Susan Esau, Executive Director of the Foundation.   According to Glass, “The New Generation Society’s generous contribution will help ensure the stability of this vital preschool program for another year.”

The focus of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts in 2006 includes a goal of raising $150,000 for the early childhood education program.  “The Foundation’s support is about one-third, or $150,000, of the early childhood program’s annual budget, and without private donations this program would cease to exist.  We are committed to supporting this program because these at-risk four year olds deserve a chance to start kindergarten just as ready to learn as their peers,” stated Esau.                         (next page…)

In addition to the New Generation Society’s recent gift, local benefactor William Dann just made a challenge gift of $50,000 to the Lawrence Schools Foundation for the early childhood education program.  “We are thrilled that Mr. Dann is a loyal supporter of this program and greatly appreciate his donation,” stated Esau.  Dann has supported this program since its inception in 1998 and has given the program a total of nearly $500,000 since 1998.  Last year, the Foundation named Mr. Dann the Foundation’s first “Friend of Early Childhood Education” at a dedication to the Elgin Woody Classroom at the center.  The Foundation will be holding a reception and tour this fall at the Early Childhood and Family Center to honor Mr. Dann, the New Generation Society, and other supporters of early childhood education.

The Foundation’s 2006 Community Education Breakfast, which will be held at the Lawrence Holidome on Thursday, August 31, at 7:30 am, will also help raise support for the early childhood education program.  The Foundation hopes to raise $40,000 with this year’s event.  Individual reservations are now available for $30 and can be made at the Foundation office at 110 McDonald Drive.  This year’s keynote speaker is Kannon Shanmugam (Lawrence High School Class of 1989) an attorney with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

The Lawrence Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity that is committed to enhancing the education provided to all students by the Lawrence Public Schools.
###