Cornell students are getting those little extras.

Thanks to the efforts of many of their teachers and the DonorsChoose.org program, everything from dictionaries, math games, a stereo, cushions and aprons are making their way to classrooms. To date, more than $4,000 worth of products has been donated.

Donna Belas, building principal, says Cornell got involved in the program after being contacted by Kate Hays, DonorsChoose.org Atlantic Region deputy director.

"I first introduced this site to our teachers in December," Belas said. "Kate was visiting in Pittsburgh during the Thanksgiving holiday."

Hays is a friend of local pastor Sam Jampetro.

She told Belas about an e-mail that had gone out to all Pennsylvania teachers who had registered on DonorsChoose.org.

At that time, viewers of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, which promoted the program through the Pa. Primary, had given almost $80,000 to Pennsylvania classrooms.

Kate urged Belas to get teachers to post requests for supplies they need on the Web site as the challenge was progressing, and they would very likely to get funding, and quickly.

Rachel Mackanin, band director, received a stereo with recording capabilities for her classroom, worth $333.

Teacher Marian Day's proposal for small and large aprons for her art classroom were funded, worth $467.

Miriam Klein, librarian, has received dictionaries she requested, and her request for floor cushions to make her students comfortable in the reading area has been approved.

Third-grade teacher Mary Lou Lanza received math manipulatives and board games to use during indoor recess. Spanish teacher Steven Vayanos' proposal for 50 Spanish-English dictionaries, worth $419, also was funded, along with Patricia Dahmen's request for 23 Norton Critical Editions of classic literature books at a cost of $427.

"This program was an alternative method to fund some of the extras that teachers have on their classroom wish lists," Belas said.

"It illustrates the manner in which our teachers go above and beyond to provide for the students in their classes. They often submit mini-grant applications offered by various organizations."

DonorsChoose.org volunteers screen each project proposal before posting them to the Web site. Individuals fund the projects of their choice -- in whole or in part -- and are e-mailed immediate gift acknowledgments from DonorsChoose.org which can be used for tax deduction purposes.

DonorsChoose.org negotiate discounts and partnerships with vendors to get the best prices available.

The student materials are then shipped directly to the school along with a disposable camera, guidelines for preparing feedback packages, and a stamped envelope in which to enclose feedback.