SACRAMENTO – Tina Drew started spending her lunchtime at Park View Elementary in Victorville when her daughters were just starting school. She wanted to make sure that her children could interact well with others. Well that was six years ago, not only could her children interact well with others but so could she. So much so, in fact, that she has spent every school day there ever since helping anyone that needs it. She devotes her entire day to volunteering even though one of her daughters is already in high school. Tina Drew’s devotion to supporting education is why she was honored as a California Lottery “Hero in Education” on “The Big Spin®” show airing statewide September 15, 2007.
Mrs. Drew’s volunteer work in the classroom started in her daughter’s kindergarten class and quickly expanded to classrooms throughout the school. She’s very versatile, helping kids with reading, grammar, spelling and math. Not only do the children need her help but Mrs. Drew is in high demand by the school staff as well. She does everything from making copies and putting together homework packets to filing and answering phones. Mrs. Drew stays long after the school day ends and is there well before the school day starts; the staff wonders if she ever goes home!
Although people around the school were asking, “Will Mrs. Drew continue to volunteer now that her youngest is off to junior high school?” Mrs. Drew wouldn’t dream of leaving the school that she has grown to love. She vows to be available morning, noon and night to the faculty and students at Park View Elementary. Tina Drew is truly a “Hero in Education.”
Presenting Drew with her award was actress Donna Mills whose television credits include Cold Case, Melrose Place, and Knots Landing. Her movie accomplishments include Love is a Four Letter Word.
The California State Lottery's ‘Hero in Education’ award has been presented monthly on The Big Spin show since 1999. The Lottery presents these awards to recognize special individuals who volunteer time and resources to their schools and communities.
The California State Lottery contributes at least 34 cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of prizes. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than $19 billion to California schools out of total sales of more than $52 billion. Retailers win too, earning $3.3 billion in compensation since 1985.