SACRAMENTO – Bernadine “Bernie” Dutra has taken on the challenging and overwhelming task of helping underprivileged children. She helps to raise their self-esteem and, in turn, encourages them to succeed in school and in life. Mrs. Dutra is a volunteer who will be honored as a California State Lottery Hero in Education on "The Big Spin®" show airing statewide January 27, 2007. She will be presented with the award by Hill Harper, an acclaimed actor of stage, screen and television. In 2004 he was named one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive and he is currently portraying Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on CSI: New York.
Shouldn’t every child be provided with the tools that they need to succeed with their education and boost their individual self-worth? Mrs. Dutra thinks so. In 2001, she founded “One Child,” a non-profit organization. She believes that helping one child to achieve can create a ripple effect for a family and the whole community. “One Child” is committed to providing disadvantaged children with new clothes and school supplies in the Fremont and San Francisco Bay areas. Mrs. Dutra created a store that resembles a retail shopping experience for children. She partners with many different groups and schools to make this gift happen. Mrs. Dutra works tirelessly to raise funds for “One Child” and has received many donations from the local community. She has clothed over 1,000 children and continues to find ways to expand and grow.
Mrs. Dutra has had to overcome many obstacles along the way. She has battled with many years of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, breast cancer and a fractured neck, but she never let this slow her down. These challenges only gave her the strength and motivation to do more.
Mrs. Dutra was recently honored by Maybelline New York and People Magazine for “Inspiring Confidence through Education.” She was also featured on television for her work with young adult children to help younger children, called the Quest Project and she received the Jefferson Award for her community service from Bay Area television station, CBS Channel 5. Bernie Dutra undeniably deserves receiving the Hero in Education award.
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/.