SACRAMENTO – On September 25, 2004, Lindsay Wagner presented Linda Long, a 12-year volunteer from Long Beach, with the California Lottery's “Heroes in Education” award on “The Big Spin®” show.
Ms. Long spends three to four days a week helping out the students and staff members at Los Cerritos Elementary School in Long Beach. Once the school bell rings in the morning, Ms. Long goes to work by filling-in for missing staff members, overseeing special events like “picture day,” and even delivering materials to the classrooms so that the teachers can spend uninterrupted time with the students.
Ms. Long spends some valuable time of her own with students by encouraging them to aim high through the school’s “Rolling Readers” program and the “Junior Achievement” program. To make sure that students have the most updated resources available, she helps raise money by organizing book fairs, fundraising breakfasts and carnivals. Ms. Long has even donated some of her own personal items to the school and PTA for auctions that will benefit the students of Los Cerritos.
On hand to honor Ms. Long was Lindsay Wagner who has appeared in some 40 films and mini-series including the 1973 classic The Paper Chase, and action packed thrillers like Nighthawks and Ricochet. She is best known for playing Jaime Sommers, on the popular television series The Bionic Woman.
The California Lottery’s “Heroes in Education” award has been presented monthly on “The Big Spin®” show, since 1999. The Lottery partners with celebrities to present these awards which recognize special individuals who volunteer time and resources to their schools and communities.
- # # # -