SACRAMENTO – When you think of someone who volunteers, you might imagine that they help out maybe a few hours a day or week. Not Mike Crain, his volunteerism is a full-time job. Mr. Crain will be honored as a California State Lottery Hero in Education on "The Big Spin®" show airing statewide March 3, 2007. He will be presented with the award by Cindy Williams, an actress who is a staple of classic television and has appeared on many television shows over the years. She co-produced the Father of the Bride movies and starred in the classic film American Graffiti. She is best known as Shirley Feeney from the long-running sitcoms Happy Days, and of course, Laverne and Shirley.
Mike Crain and his wife Laurie had a successful business as electricians. So when his Laurie decided to become a teacher, Mr. Crain continued right on working with her. He started his full-time, retired career as a volunteer. He arrives at school every day with his wife and leaves with her at the end of the day. Mr. Crain meets daily with the students in his Laurie’s kindergarten class, helping them with their letters, numbers and shapes. He also keeps the classroom in good shape, fixing desks, organizing and moving things. The custodial staff really appreciates him and the children were so thrilled when he built a basketball hoop and backboard for their playground!
Not only does Mr. Crain help his wife with her kindergarten class but he also helps the other teachers and staff members with clerical work, giving them extra time to prepare lesson plans, assess students and meet with parents. He helps the office staff print the newsletter that goes out to 900 students. If there is ever a time that a class needs supervision for a field trip, Mike never hesitates to go.
Mr. Crain is often a guest speaker in classrooms, sharing his coin collection with the first and third graders when they are learning about money. He was an Eagle Scout, a Vietnam Veteran and a POW. He loves to share his knowledge of survival with the students. Donating his time and energy, Mr. Crain is an inspiration to the students at Anna Kirchgater Elementary School in Sacramento.
The California State 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.
Public education in California receives at least 34 cents of every dollar players spend on Lottery products. The California Lottery contributed a record $1.28 billion to public education in 2005-06 out of historic sales of $3.58 billion, the sixth year in a row the Lottery has provided more than $1 billion in supplemental funding for education. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than $18 billion to California schools.
For more information about “One Child” please visit www.onechildca.org and for details about past "Heroes in Education" and what the California Lottery contributes to public education, please visit http://www.calottery.com/Support/.