Fundraising efforts continue to find the cash necessary to bring a replica of Sue to Faith this summer.

"We still have a ways to go," said Ron Frame, executive director of the Faith Chamber of Commerce.

Found on a Faith-area ranch in 1990, Sue is the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered. The skeleton stands 13 feet high and is 42 feet long. Sue's sex is unknown, but researchers believe the dinosaur was 28 years old and weighed about 7 tons.

For local residents, the traveling exhibit from the Field Museum in Chicago represents a home-coming for the famous fossil.

The exhibit is scheduled to be in Faith from May 10 through Sept. 1.

The city has until April 31 to complete fundraising, Frame said.

Frame is waiting to hear from several area banks that have pledged to help bring the exhibit to South Dakota.

Frame estimates that an additional $35,000 to $40,000 will still be needed to bring the world-class exhibit to Faith.

The City of Faith supplied the initial $25,000 required to reserve the exhibit, but an additional $70,000 is needed.

So far, Frame said, the chamber has received $13,295 in cash donations.

"We've got more in-kind gifts than we have cash gifts," Frame said. "But, in-kind is always good, too."

The Black Hills Institute of Geological Research in Hill City has agreed to exhibit a replica of a T. rex called Bucky along with several other fossils and graphics for the exhibit. The institute's contribution is valued at $60,000, according to Frame.

The Sturgis McDonald's restaurant has donated more than $2,400 for promotional materials.

Additional in-kind gifts include $24,000 in public-service messages from KBHB Radio.

Along with the skeletal replica of Sue, The Field Museum's traveling exhibit includes interactive activities, touchable replicas, videos and colorful graphics.

Faith was fortunate to receive a $41,500 Governor's Challenge Grant to assist with marketing the exhibit, Frame said.

The Faith Transit Bus is being used to promote the exhibit. A portion of the grant is sponsoring trips to area schools.

To contribute to the traveling Sue exhibit:

Faith Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 246

Faith, SD 57626

Telephone 967-2001

Or

City of Faith

P.O. Box 368

Faith, SD 57626

Telephone 967-2261

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com