G.R.E.A.T. Elementary Students “Bring Back Dino” Mascot Project

Submitted by Officer Doug Monte
Banning Police Department
Photographs used with permission
www.BringBackDino.com

The Cabazon Elementary School’s concrete dinosaur mascot, named Dino, in Riverside County, California, was destroyed by vandals this past January. The fourth-grade G.R.E.A.T. students took action and decided to bring their mascot back to life by doing the "Bring Back Dino" project.

With the help of their G.R.E.A.T. instructor, Detective Doug Monte, and community sponsorships, the students were able to raise an amazing $3,600 in 6 weeks to have Dino-Rex constructed and transported back home to the school.

During the fund-raiser, Cabazon students participated in a 30-day reading challenge and a dinosaur coloring contest for prizes.

Dino-Rex’s 7-foot-high and 9-foot-long frame was constructed by a local blacksmith, Klaus Duebbert and reinforced by a local auto repair shop, Ding Masters, using the heavy-duty material usually applied as a truck bed liner. The artwork to make Dino-Rex come to life was done by a local tattoo and mural artist, Josh Mediak.

After many hours of hard work, Dino-Rex was finally completed. He was taken to his new home via delivery truck. A public dedication ceremony/school assembly was held on Friday, May 7, 2010.

For more information on the progress of Dino-Rex, visit the official project Web site www.BringBackDino.com. Information about Detective Monte’s community partnerships can be found in the summer issues of the G.R.E.A.T. Newsletter.