| First Computer Giveaway - Feb 2nd, 2005 |
| Today we gave away 10 complete computer systems to kids in the Hi-Five Program. All the computers were donated by employees of TYBRIN Corporation. The giveaway took place at Endeavour Elementary in Cocoa. All systems were loaded with software and games that will help teach the kids how to use the computers and allow them to use the systems to do their homework assignments on them. |
| Started Work on Computer Lab - Feb 16th, 2005 |
| Was asked by Betty Salter, Recreation Center Coordinator to setup a computer lab that the kids could use after school and on the weekends to do their homework and to learn more about computers in general. Betty gave us a room in their Travis Park facility in Cocoa that would be used just for the computer lab. Started work on setting up six computers that will be networked together and have high speed internet access. Currently in the process of getting six systems working and loaded with the needed software. Most computers were already in the recreation center but many were non-operational or needed upgrading. Hope to have this project completed by the end of the month. These systems will also be used for Senior classes. The systems will be available for classes to all age groups when not in use by the kids. Normally this would be during school hours. For more information about this program or to find out about scheduling the lab for training use, call Betty Salter at 321-633-1871 or email her at [Betty Salter] |
| Another Computer Lab in Work - Feb 21st, 2005 |
| Was asked by Chena Lessey, Recreation program coordinator for the main Parks Operations Office in Cocoa to setup a computer lab for their youth recreation center on Forrest Avenue that they are now in the process of setting up. They have a room picked out and want to install six desks and computers so the kids will have a place to do their homework and have some fun playing with the computer systems. At this point in time no computers have been acquired but we are actively looking for systems to refurbish and put into this location. To find out more about the computer lab going into this location, you can call Chena Lessey at the Parks Operations Office, 321-633-1874 or email her at [Chena Lessey] |
| First Computer Lab Finished - March 18th, 2005 |
| Our first computer center at the Travis Park Center is now up and online. They are now using it to give preschool kids a chance to experience computers and work with educational software to get a head start with their first year of school. More programs are scheduled for the older kids and we are now concentrating on our second computer lab. We were lucky to find a Sponsor for our first computer lab. Dr. Penny, who has her own practice working with kids, donated enough funds for us to go out and buy the legal software needed for the six computer systems in the Travis Park Lab. She now also wants to sponsor our second recreation center. We are so grateful to her for supporting our cause. We will be looking for other businesses that might like to sponsor a youth center lab. If your interested, drop me an email and I can discuss other centers that we will be at in the near future. You can email me at: [Ted Hackler Jr.] |
| Second Computer Giveaway - April 12th, 2005 |
| We gave away another 10 complete computer systems to kids in the Hi-Five Program. All the computers were donated by various generous donors around the city. The giveaway took place at Endeavour Elementary in Cocoa. All systems were loaded with software and games that will help teach the kids how to use the computers and allow them to use the systems to do their homework assignments on them. This was our second giveawy and we play on holding these giveaways as often as we can. Our giveaways depend on the local community donating their old used systems and once we get ten systems that can be brought back to life, we will hold our next giveaway for the kids. We hope this can take place at least every other month. |
| Boys & Girls Club Lab repaired and reloaded - April 22, 2006 |
| We were asked to come in and fix a computer lab at the Boys & Girls club in Mims. They had ten very nice computers but none of them were working and they needed to be repaired and reloaded. We took all ten computers, fixed each one then reloaded the software the came with the systems. After we finally got all ten systems up and running, we ran network cable in the lab, hooked the computers up in a small mini network, attached a laser printer so all computers could print, and finally setup the computers so they could access the internet. Now the kids can come to the center after school, do their homework, printout any papers they need, and use the internet as a resource to help them with their work. We also gave suggestions to the club on how to keep the systems from falling into disrepair again. We turned the lab back over to the club on April 22nd, ready for the kids to again have full access to this very valuable resource. If you know of other labs that need help, please have them give us a call. Our volunteers will gladly help get their lab back up and working. |