How You can HELP the Kids
One of the things we really need are donated computers. With the changing times it is not uncommon for many
people to buy new systems every couple of years. Usually they end up storing the old computer system in the closet because they
are unsure what to do with it. Sometimes the computer might have sensative data that the owners do not want to let get out to
the public, but they are not sure how to get it off the computer. Thats where we can come to the rescue!
All computers no matter how old they are have something to offer for the kids. We can come to your house, bring
software that will totally format your computer's hard drive ensuring no personal data will leave with the computer. Then we will
bring your computer back to our shop and go thru it looking for ways to update it and make it usable by kids that cannot afford
their own system. We would like to put as many used computers into the hands of needy kids as we can get. The kids range in age
from about 8 years old to older teenagers that can use the more powerful systems to do their school work on. On our last giveaway,
we were able to put together 10 complete systems. They ranged from low end computer systems of about 200 MHZ to some very nice
systems that were close to 1 GHZ in speed.
Even in cases where the computers are just too old to use, we take every part that we can and put them in other
systems that might have bad componets in them. All our computers that we give away are internet ready with either a modem card or
or a network card installed, sometimes both! If the kids need help, we can take the computers to their house and set them up for
them. All of this is done with no cost to the kids or the parents. But we can only give out systems when they are donated.
Another area that we can use help with is the donation of your computer expertise. We hope to start having classes
very soon for the kids on how to use computers. These will be starting at the very beginners level which will cover how to use a
mouse, how to open programs and make them work, even as simple as how to turn the computer on and off correctly. And if the right
people come forward, we can teach the kids how to email, use the internet to help with their homework assignments, and many other
things that the older kids might need help with.
One of our current programs is to put computer labs into some of the local recreation centers. We will install
five or six computers all networked together, have an instructor console, and have all the computers on the internet via a fast
internet connection. This is where we want to do our training. It is also a place where the kids can go after school or on the
weekends and do their homework assignment and print out any reports they might have to turn in for school. Of course we need to
have volunteers that can watch the kids and help them as they use the computers. All internet usage will be monitored by a
volenteer that will be right in the room whenever kids are on the computers. This ensures the kids will get maximum 'SAFE' usage
of the systems.
If your interested in helping with the program in any manner, please contact the number below. We can use
your help in many ways. If you would like to teach some classes to the kids, we can arrange that also. We also want to allow
the Seniors to have access to the computers when the kids are not on them. This will allow the Seniors to hold classes in
the computer labs and use the equipment to learn more about computers and the internet. All this again will be at no cost
to the kids. Think about how you can help and give the number below a call. If you have a computer to donate, we will be
more then happy to come to you and pick it up. Just call the number below and we can give you all the information you should
need. Remember that everything is for the kids and no equipment will be turned down. Let us put your old systems to very
good use. Give us a call and help get our kids on the right track!
Richard Rogers (321)-633-7090
Email at: rrogers@eckerd.org [Email Me]