Dearborn Education Foundation to Honor Educator, Congressman

The Dearborn Education Foundation will honor two individuals that have had an indelible impact on the Dearborn Public Schools district at its 2011 Exhibit and Recognition Event on Sept. 28.

Designed as a part exhibit, part awards ceremony, foundation officials will recognize Congressman John Dingell for his support of education issues during his 56-year tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Sir Michael Berry, who has been an advocate for Dearborn schools for several years.

The recognition event–held at the Michael Berry Career Center is free to the community, but donations will be accepted. Attendees will also be treated to light refreshments and appetizers created by the Berry Center’s culinary arts students.

Eddie Fakhoury, the executive director of the foundation, said the foundation is dedicated to assisting Dearborn schools with projects that enhance student achievement that are not funded through traditional means.

“The foundation relies heavily on the events that they put on in order to generate the revenue that we need to fund our teacher grants,” he said. “(The reception is) a time where we can showcase all of the great accomplishments of our school district."

"If anyone is interested in seeing and learning all the great things our district is doing (and) finding out the impact that the foundation has had on our district in the areas where the funding took place, this is a great opportunity to come check us out.”

The exhibit event is unique in that attendees will be able to support the foundation and the awardees while learning more about several projects the foundation has supported. Each exhibit will highlight a project made possible by the foundation.

To date, the foundation has awarded more than $1 million to schools. Those dollars translate into projects that occur in the classroom, resulting in a net benefit for students, said Dearborn Superintendent Brian Whiston.

“The importance of the 2011 Exhibit and Recognition Event is that it puts front and center the students who have been successful as a result of the contributions of the foundation,” he said. “It gives tangible evidence of their impact on the classroom."

“Just as important, this event recognizes those individuals who have given of their time, talents, and finances to help the foundation complete its mission of providing resources directly to the classroom,” Whiston added.

Projects funded by the foundation include a new reading program for elementary school students, athletic equipment, computer software, technology support, art supplies, and costs associated with the Galileo Leadership Academy, to name a few.

The Exhibit and Recognition Event is one of the major fundraisers for the school year, Fakoury said.

The event will take place from 4:30-7 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the Michael Berry Career Center. Proceeds from the event will fund teacher grants for several projects.

The foundation will also hold its annual golf outing on Oct. 2, which will take place at the in Dearborn. The golf outing has different levels of sponsorship for groups and individuals, which can be found on the foundation's website.

If a resident is interested in supporting the foundation, but cannot attend a fundraiser, donations can be made online at dearbornedfoundation.org.