Fundraiser Scheduled To Support Middle Gate Literacy Efforts

By Eliza Hallabeck

With two children attending Middle Gate Elementary School, resident Chris Sferruzzo says his attention was first drawn to one of the school’s needs last year.

This year Mr Sferruzzo and his wife, Beth, have scheduled a private benefit event at their home later this month to help the school raise money to fund a donation for Middle Gate’s Goldmine Library and individual classroom libraries.

Anyone interested in attending the event, scheduled for Saturday, June 23, at 4 pm, is asked to make a reservation by sending an e-mail bsferruzzo@gmail.com as soon as possible. Further information about the event will given to those interested in attending.

“The primary goal of the benefit,” reads an invitation for the event, “is to improve the sagging inventory of the Goldmine Library and [classroom libraries] at Middle Gate Elementary School. A superior selection of books will help engage our readers and promote students’ performance in literacy. By upgrading the resources in these areas, we can drive success today and well into the future.”

After speaking to Middle Gate Principal Chris Geissler last school year, Mr Sferruzzo responded by giving a donation to the library. The school filled out a spreadsheet of exactly how the money was used, line by line and book by book, said Mr Sferruzzo.

This school year, Mr Sferruzzo asked the school to give him a number, and he promised to raise it.

“Let’s take a harder look at what the school needs, and figure out how to get it done,” Mr Sferruzzo said.

The Goldmine Library, Mr Geissler said, is the “hub” of the school. Middle Gate also has a reading center, and individual classroom libraries. Over the last two years funding for the classroom libraries, the principal said, has come from the school’s budget and from Middle Gate’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

The school’s goal, Mr Geissler explained, is to increase the volume of age appropriate and high interest books in each classroom, which Mr Sferruzzo said could cost between $500 and $700 per classroom. Money raised through the Sferruzzos’ fundraiser, Mr Geissler said, may also supplement Middle Gate’s participation in a school district reading program through Columbia University.

“What it came down to is books,” said Mr Sferruzzo, “… and the books are expensive.”

To help bring about what Mr Sferruzzo calls Middle Gate’s vision, his goal was to have 100 percent of funding required to support the reading initiatives by September. In the first couple days following the Sferruzzos’ announcement of the fundraiser, Mr Sferruzzo said donations were rolling in.

“I just want to express my gratitude for the generosity of this family,” said Mr Geissler this week, “and the work of the many people involved.”

An invitation for the event further explains, “Some funds will also be used for technological improvements such as overhead clickers and educational software. Teachers will benefit from using technology to better analyze students’ progress and areas of need. With better assessment of the students’ abilities, the teachers will be able to create student specific programs and exercises to maximize each student’s learning potential, building on their individual strengths and fortifying any weaknesses.”

The fundraising event will include a silent auction, with items like professional racetrack passes, sporting event tickets, golf outings, and gift certificates. To contribute items for the silent auction or for an auction update, contact Dan Sawyer at dsawyer@mercedesbenzofdanbury.com.

For information about donating to the effort e-mail bsferruzzo@gmail.com.