Local Teachers Using Website to Link Classroom Needs With Potential Donors

Ms. Feigel is looking for reeds for woodwind instruments at Simmons Middle School in Oak Lawn. Mrs. L at Mount Greenwood Elementary School is trying to acquire an iPad to help students with disabilities acquire reading, math and motor skills. Mrs. Reynolds at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences is seeking donors to help purchase a set of classroom books.

And we know this how? We found their requests at www.donorschoose.org, a Web site in which teachers post requests for their students and classrooms of items their school district cannot supply and the students and their cannot afford to purchase themselves.  

Here's how the site describes its mission:

"DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on our site, and you can give any amount to the project that most inspires you.

"When a project reaches its funding goal, we ship the materials to the school. You'll get photos of the project taking place, a letter from the teacher, and insight into how every dollar was spent. Give over $50 and you'll also receive hand-written thank-yous from the students."

It's legitimate. Charity Navigator, a watchdog group that investigates nonprofit groups seeking donations, gives it a four-star rating, its highest ranking.

Click this link to learn more about the requests made by local teachers by zip code:

• 60453

• 60655

• 60643

-Karen Sorensen contributed to this story.