Frankie Lemmon School mom wins $100,000 for preschool

The money will go toward buying additonal technology and software for the Raleigh preschool for kids with special needs.

Posted 6:48 p.m. Jan 24, 2012 — Updated 6:48 p.m. Jan 24, 2012

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

I just wanted to congratulate Melissa Matthews and the Frankie Lemmon School for their big win last week: $100,000 from Ikea's Life Improvement Contest!

Matthews' son attends the school, a Raleigh preschool for kids with special needs.

I wrote about Matthews last year when she was named one of five contestants in the national contest. With the money, Matthews plans to buy additional technology and software for Frankie Lemmon students; fund advanced training in teaching technologies for the school's educators; pay for programs that extend the reach of the school to more kids in the community; and create an online resource for teachers and parents of children with special needs.

Matthews shared her excitement for the win on the Frankie Lemmon Foundations' Facebook page.

"At the end of February, big boxes will arrive at FLS, filled with iPads for every student, smart boards for every class. And that is only the beginning of the gifts that the children will receive this year because you gave them 50,000 votes and a lot of love! One thing is for sure - Raleigh can rally! WE did it. YOU did it. And I’m signing “thank you!" she wrote in the post.

Congratulations to Matthews and the Frankie Lemmon School!!

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