Published in the Rockford Register Star on Saturday, November 5, 2005

The Sara Ingrassia-Jackie Confer Dictionary Fund has distributed ScottForesman dictionaries to each and every third grade student in the Rockford School District for nine consecutive years. This has been made possible thanks to the generous financial support of many individuals, the corporate community and many of our school PTOs.

Jackie Confer, a former school board member, first conceived of this project, which was then named in honor of another former school board member, Sara Ingrassia. Sara was a devoted teacher and true friend to education. Sara believed that every child is able to achieve when provided the necessary materials for learning. When Jackie Confer passed away in late 2003, the project was renamed The Sara Ingrassia-Jackie Confer Dictionary Fund.

The Scott Foresman book is more than just a stimulating dictionary; it is a mini-encyclopedia, a reference tool the students are using throughout their e1ementary and high school careers. In some instances, this is the first hardcover book a child owns.

Distributing 2,000 books individually to each third-grade student on Dictionary Day every October is no small task, and without the help of many volunteers, service organizations and District 205 it would not be possible. Moreover, without the monetary support of the community, raising $40,000 each year--$22 per book—would be impossible.

Thank you for your continued support of a very rewarding program as we now begin to raise funds for the 2006 year. If you would like more information, or would like to make a donation of $22 to provide one book for a child, you can contact, The Dictionary Fund, P.O. Box 4154, Rockford, IL 61110.
Or, check out our Web site at www.dictionaryfund.org

Thank you, Rockford

-Peter Damby, president,

The Dictionary Fund