SALEM LIONS   SOUTH CAROLINA  

PRESS ACCOLADES FOR SALEM LION'S 500th COMPUTER GIVE AWAY

From the:

By BRETT McLAUGHLIN

WALHALLA - The Salem Lions Club was 'presented Thursday with the Palmetto Serves Award by the South Carolina Commission on National and Community Service. Dozens of Lions members from Salem and beyond, school officials and 10studentsand their families representing 'J. N. Kellett Elementary School were among those packing a small building to witness the donation of the Salem Lions Club's 500th refurbished computer to Oconee County students.  In just over one year, c1ub volunteers have collected computers from the School District of Oconee County, business partners and individual citizens and refurbished them into stations, which have, in turn, been donated to disadvantaged school students.

"The Salem Lions Club generous donation of talent and time is only matched by their tenacity in seeking old computer..It's amazing partnership of community leaders with business leaders and the school system.  Oconee's children reap the benefits."

The Lion motto is "We Serve" and this is a perfect example of how that motto is put into action." representative Dianne Pitts of Spartenburg. 

"It is so crucial to have this computer access in these homes." said Aretta Jenkins, parent outreach coordinator for Oconee schools. "These are children who may see a computer at school but when there is no computer in the home there is a disconnect.  This is a wonderful program"

Brett McLaughlin/Staf

January 26, 2006

Salem Lions Club donates 500th computer

By DAVID WILLIAMS

WALHALLA — What started as an idea to put two dozen refurbished computers in the homes of Oconee County school children who lacked a computer has ballooned into an operation that has given away 500 computers in less than two years.

Thursday, the Salem Lions Club celebrated the donation of its 500th computer, which went to a J.N. Kellett Elementary student.
George Blanchard, president of the Salem Lions Club, said the club did not want to single out one family.
"We gave out 15 computers today and that represents our 500th computer," Mr. Blanchard said.

In July 2004, Jim Jacques with the Salem Lions Club proposed the club join with the Keowee Computer Club to keep a few computers out of the landfill.
Beginning with a few donated computers from friends and neighbors, Mr. Jacques was joined by a few friends. They put together enough working parts to present eight computers to Keowee Elementary School.

The following week, Keowee Elementary received another 10 computers and soon after that Tamassee-Salem Elementary received eight.

The operation quickly outgrew Mr. Jacques’ basement so the school district opened the old technology support center in the former district annex building. The computer operation now has more than 1,800 square feet for storage, repair and delivery of refurbished computers.

"It usually takes parts from two or three computers to get one ready," said Joe Rukat, the school district’s technology director.

Shelby Tilford, who said he’s not a member of the Lions or the computer club, heard about the project from his friends and volunteered his time.
Mr. Tilford is now one of the leading technicians who restores computers. "I just know about computers from other things, like building them for my grandkids," Mr. Tilford said.  Mr. Tilford, who retired to Oconee County, was an Associate Administrator with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Washington, D.C., and worked with the satellites that monitor the Earth and oceans.

Timothy Keese, 6, a second-grader at Kellett Elementary, said he’s looking forward to having a computer in his room.  The computer package includes software for English and mathematics, Windows 98 donated by Microsoft, a monitor, keyboard, speakers, CPU, mouse and mouse pad.

The highly successfully program was applauded Thursday as Duke Power presented a $2,500 check to the Salem Lions. It was announced that Michelin Tires would be donating about 100 computers.

Ivor Rich, formerly of New York who now makes his home in Oconee County, presented a check from the Howard L. Green Foundation for $5,000.

"This is a great day for celebration," said Earnestine Williams, principal at J.N. Kellett Elementary. "This is a great opportunity for our children."

Valerie Truesdale, superintendent of education, presented the Salem Lions Club with the Palmetto Serves Award from the South Carolina Commission on National and Community Service.

David Williams can be reached at (864) 882-0522

GREENVILE NEWS

Old computers get new life in children's hands
Salem Lions hope to spread effort using donated hardware across state

Published: Monday, January 30, 2006 - 6:00 am


By Lindsay Edmonds
STAFF WRITER
l
SALEM -- Seven-year old Timothy Keese couldn't help grinning from ear to ear as he sat in front of a newly refurbished computer, knowing that in a few minutes he would have one of his own.

"This will be his computer for his room. That's what he said," said Dottie Keese, Timothy's mother. "He's really excited."

Timothy, who is a second-grader at J.N. Kellett Elementary in Oconee County, is one of 15 students selected by the school to receive a reprogrammed computer from the Salem Lions and the Keowee Key computer clubs.

Earnestine Williams, principal at J.N. Kellett, said all the children were filled with excitement at the prospect of getting their very own computers.   It's like Christmas in January. They are so happy," Williams said.

Based in the lower level of the old school district business office on College Street in Walhalla, Computers for Kids works to repair and reprogram computers donated by various businesses, banks, schools and individuals.

Beginning as a small project in October 2004, the program has grown by leaps and bounds and has affected each of the 11 elementary schools in Oconee County.

The project is unique to the Salem Lions Club, but members hope it expands, according to George Blanchard, president of the civic group.

"We would be glad to assist any other clubs or organizations to get started," Blanchard said.   Several Lions Clubs in the state have contacted the Salem Lions, but most of them don't have the space to carry out the project, Blanchard said.

The Salem Lions' computer-recycling project has donated more than 500 computers to students at these schools. Each student receives a newly programmed computer with reading and math software, as well as a keyboard, mouse, mouse pad, and blank floppy disks.

Oconee County School District Superintendent Valerie Truesdale said she is truly amazed by how much the Lions Club has accomplished.   "They saw the need and they designed a way to meet that need and they went out and did it," Truesdale said. "We thought maybe 20 to 30 computers, but 500 in a year? I'm in awe."

For Blanchard, seeing the happiness on the children's faces makes it all worthwhile.
"A little girl came out of the classroom and she looked up at us and she said:
 'Thank you, thank you so much for my computer,' " Blanchard said. "That's all you needed."

Even those who are not members of the Lions Club, like Shelby Tilford, contribute their time and energy. Tilford and Jim Jacques spend their free time working in the cluttered workroom at the district building to repair most of the computers.

"This gives so many kids, who would never have an opportunity to have a computer, an opportunity to become involved," Tilford said. "We'd like for every kid in South Carolina to be a part of this program."

Truesdale believes that this project gives students who otherwise would not have computers a chance to compete with those that do.
"We see that technology is the great equalizer," Truesdale said. "Their families may not have technology in the home. So this an opportunity for the child; this will reinforce what they are learning in school."

Blanchard said not only does the computer help with good reading skills, but it also raises self-esteem and makes the students feel on par with their peers.   In addition, the parents become involved in their children's education. Both parents and students come to receive the new computers.  "It's an eye-opening experience, and they become a part of the learning process," Blanchard said. "And they actually get a kick out of it."