Over $255K Donated to Darien Schools in Past Year

Darien Public Schools received more than $255,000 in donations over the 2010-2011 school year, according to figures released last week by the district.

The donations — which came from individuals, companies, nonprofits, and parent teacher organizations — covered everything from musical instruments to digital scales, window shades, sports equipment, registration fees, furniture, and medical equipment.

“This represents the spirit of this community, which is so generous in so many ways,” Superintendent Stephen Falcone told the Board of Education. “For the most part, these gifts support students directly.”

This year's total is slightly lower than the fundraising haul from 2009-2010, . But Falcone, who completed his first school year as the district's top administrator, noted that many other people have given volunteer hours that don't show up on a balance sheet.

“We do not record the time that people donate,” he said.  

Board chairman Kim Westcott said the organizations, companies, and individuals who donated were extraordinarily generous.

“We have got to be the envy of many school districts,” Westcott said. “To have this level of support, especially in these economic times, is amazing.”

Board member Heather Shea noted that hundreds of people gave a relatively modest amount of money.

“We should not forget them,” she said.

Among the largest donations was to fund technological equipment, programs, workshops, musical instruments, clubs, and drinking water.

In May, to provide musical instruments, computers, shelves, stools, and a kiln.

In October, the association also gave $24,000 to upgrade the auditorium’s sound system, replace its stage, and purchase classroom equipment.

In February, the music department received a total of $83,046 in donations to fund instruments:

• $20,000 from the Riveros family
• $15,000 from the Darien Technology and Community Foundation;
• $5,500 from Jim and Kerry Plutte
• $5,000 from Herb and Shelley Washer;
• $5,000 from Davin and Julie Gebauer
• $2,600 from Doug and Jean Traver
• $2,500 from Kelly Associates
• $2,500 from Eric Ferguson
• $2,000 from the Darien High School Parents Association
• $22,946 from others not individually identified

In January, Babe Ruth Baseball gave between $16,000 and $22,500 to install fences and protective nets along the baseball fields at DHS.

In October, to provide a laser engraver for the technology education department.

In August, the PTO gave $12,828 to purchase window shades at the Holmes School library, and a slide on its playground.

In October, the Blue Wave Pride Club donated $8,780 to DHS athletic teams. This gift included:

• $2,500 toward renting portable lights for the football and field hockey squads
• $2,000 in sand for the track team’s long jump pit
• $1,500 to the girls ice hockey team to buy goalie equipment
• $850 to the boys and girls basketball teams for a toss-back machine
• $730 for a display timing system for the boys and girls ski teams
• $600 for 12 backpacks for the squash teams
• $600 for 35 backpacks for the swimming and diving teams

In March, the PTO gave $7,895 to upgrade a sound system in the elementary school’s common room.

In the same month, the Grasso Construction Company gave $5,500 to high school students working to build a fuel cell car.