“I am dad. I am sa-sa-sad,’’ she read, initially struggling a bit, flipping the pages, each with a picture of a “dad” depicting different facial expressions.

“I am a sad, mad dad.”

The book was one of many school supplies purchased by Yomarelis’ teacher Gina Ramos, using a $500 donation from Lancaster native Daisy Myers.

This year, Myers “adopted” Ramos’ class through “Adopt-A-Classroom,” a nonprofit organization, which is based in Miami, where Myers now lives. The program’s aim is to fortify classrooms, particularly those in low-income school districts, with extra learning materials.

“I think they are really going to help us become better readers and learners,’’ said Ramos to her students, all of whom were planning to send thank-you notes to Myers.

“I think they’re cool,’’ said one of Ramos’ students, 6-year-old Husam Mohamed, as he looked at the stacks of books, painting materials and educational games that recently arrived by mail to his class of 23 students.

Myers is a nurse who was educated in Lancaster city schools, graduating from McCaskey High School in 1973. She said, in a phone interview, that she learned about the program from a patient three years ago. Every year since then, she has adopted a classroom in urban Lancaster schools. She said the program is even more appealing because it doesn’t involve bureaucracy.

“It’s a nice way of giving back to the schools — independent of the administration — without the red tape,’’ Myers said.

The program was founded in 1998 by lawyer James Rosenberg, who was mentoring a student at a Miami school. He said he was stunned by the school’s lack of resources, which was “in contrast to the wealth in corporate America I was witness to as an acquisitions attorney.

“There had to be a way to bridge that gap.”

So, at the age of 28, he quit his job and founded Adopt-A-Classroom and has since been its executive director.

Thus far, donors have spent $5 million on 5,000 classrooms in 39 states. In Lancaster County, donors spent $7,600 on 16 schools since the organization was founded, according to the Web site www.adoptaclassroom.com.

“It’s a very simple, easy-to- understand program,’’ Rosenberg said, which can make a “big difference,” particularly in poor school districts.

Donors can give any amount they wish, with a minimum of $25 per classroom. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Every dollar donated goes into the classrooms, Rosenberg said. His organization pays for its administrative costs with contributions from businesses and individuals. Also, Adopt-A-Classroom has partnered with vendors who, in turn, donate a percentage of sales back to the program.

After someone “adopts” a classroom, usually via e-mail or by phone, the teacher uses the credit to shop online from a network of affiliate vendors. The teacher can choose whatever he or she needs to help students succeed.

For the second year in a row, John and Melissa Carroll have donated $500 to Susan Loughney’s kindergarten class at Burrowes. Recently, the Lancaster couple dropped by for a visit to Loughney’s class where they were greeted by 25 excited faces.

“These kids are sincerely touched,’’ said Mr. Carroll, vice president of human resources at Herley Industries Inc., who was obviously touched himself.

Mrs. Carroll said the couple chose Burrowes because her two children (his step-children), now 22 and 16, were students there.

Both said they were amazed at how much teachers spend out-of-pocket for supplies for their classrooms. According to Rosenberg, the average teacher, each year, spends $1,200 of his or her own money.

Loughney said she has recently ordered a variety of “lower-level” books that kindergartners can grasp. The books now available to them from the school district are for older students and difficult for them to read, said both Loughney and Ramos, who also ordered similar books.

In April 2005, Franklin & Marshall College’s Sophomore Class Caucus raised $500 from fellow students and faculty to adopt a class at Carter & MacRae Elementary School, also in the city.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for students,’’ said Barbara Verrier, director of the college’s Ware Institute for Civic Engagement, which oversees and encourages student involvement in the community.

“It’s relatively achievable to raise $500,’’ Verrier said. “It is nice to know that goes to enrichment activities, education programs, books for kids ... perhaps some who don’t have them at home, either.”

In turn, she said, the college students \h— a few who visited their adopted classroom\h — have learned a valuable lesson in civics.

“It’s great,’’ agreed Burrowes principal Gary Hess. “It’s a wonderful way to connect the community with schools.”


Those interested in the program can go to www.adoptaclassroom.com or call toll-free at (877) 444-7666.