| Sarasota,
FL: The City of Sarasota donated 115 gently used computers
to a local education program which helps ensure school children
have access to a home computer. The Texcellence Computer Donation
Program, a collaboration between the Education Foundation
of Sarasota County and Sarasota County Schools, will distribute
the computers to qualified students Wed., December 2, 2009
5 pm – 8 pm at Booker Middle School, 2250 Myrtle Street.
“This is a cooperative effort,”
said City Manager Robert Bartolotta. “The City’s
Information Technology Department worked alongside the Purchasing
Department, the Newtown Redevelopment Office and the Education
Foundation to make this happen. Students in North Sarasota
who really need a home computer will receive a refurbished
computer. And, that’s a tool that will help them succeed,”
said Bartolotta.
The donated computers were refurbished with
the help of the Education Foundation, then loaded with educational
and home office software. During the upcoming distribution,
families will receive a 3-hour training session on how to
use their new computer and software. Four City of Sarasota
employees with the IT Department will help with the distribution.
Since Texcellence was launched in spring
2007, nearly 3,000 families have received recycled computers,
training and technical support. “There are thousands
more families in our town who are eligible to receive these
computers, families that are truly motivated to help their
children succeed in the classroom and in life,” said
Cindy Kaiser, the Education Foundation’s Executive Director.
Donors are needed to underwrite the $250 it costs to refurbish
and deliver each family’s computer.
Texcellence is one of many initiatives supported
by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, a not-for-profit
organization which works with the community to provide over
$1.2 million in gift support for Sarasota County Schools every
year. For more information visit www.edfoundation.net.
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