Cape & Islands News

Laptops for KidZ places 6th of the "TD Bank Dozen" in Brewster

Half of the "TD Bank Dozen" already helping Lower Cape kid

The Laptops for KidZ project of the Masonic Angel Foundation has placed the sixth of the dozen IBM ThinkPad’s donated by TD Bank.  This article is number six in an exclusive Cape Cod Today series that follows each of the “TD Bank Dozen” laptops.  Laptops for KidZ was introduced to TD Bank through a partnership with Cape and Islands United Way.

Christine Sieger at the Nauset Youth Alliance/Brewster After School Child Care (BACC) program requested a laptop for a family with two children, ages 9 and 11.  The younger child has some communication challenges that may be ameliorated by the use of Johnson-Meyer’s “Boardmaker Plus” software.  Both children’s teachers have loaded onto the computer educational software programs that they wish the two youngsters to complete over the summer break.  This is one of five TD Bank laptops that were placed with BACC.

Masonic Angel Fund volunteer Michael Leighton and Nauset Youth Alliance/Brewster After School Child Care bookkeeper Susan O’Neill hold two of the five TD Bank laptops that were placed in Brewster by the Laptops for KidZ project.

TD Bank Laptop #6 was delivered to BACC at the Stony Brook School by LFK volunteers Mario Meré and Michael Leighton on behalf of the Universal Masonic Angel Fund chapter that serves children in Orleans, Brewster and Eastham.   The very first Masonic Angel Fund was established at Universal Masonic Lodge in Orleans back in 1998.  Today the Masonic Angel Foundation oversees 142 chapters in twelve states.

According to LFK volunteer project director Mario Meré, “We are happy to see so many of our laptops going to families where there is such a clearly-defined educational need.  A placement like TD#6 can be a life-changing event in a child’s life.”  In addition to the software installed by the school, each Laptops for KidZ machine is loaded with Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Open Office, Avast! Anti-Virus and Adobe Reader.

Established in March, Laptops for KidZ (LFK) places laptop computers with local schools to be sent home with children who would not otherwise have computer access outside school hours.  LFK tries to focus on situations where there is a demonstrated educational need for which the school has a plan that involves use of a computer to address that need.

TD Bank’s Larry Squire, who arranged the bank’s donation, was introduced to the Laptops for KidZ program by Cape and Islands United Way president Richard Brothers.

As with all activities of the Masonic Angel Foundation, the program's volunteers never know the identity of a recipient child. All transactions are conducted at arm's length with the school professionals working as a go-between to preserve privacy. LFK does not accept direct requests from potential recipients. Requests for laptops must come through a school or other partner agency.  LFK computers are configured in English and are only available to legal residents of the United States.  The TD Bank laptops are eligible to be placed between Plymouth and Provincetown through local Masonic Angel Fund chapters.

LFK accepts donations of functional Windows-based notebook computers. "Functional" means that the laptop will power up and is accompanied by its proper AC adapter.  LFK generally does not accept donations of desktops or monitors. Donations to the 501(c)(3) Masonic Angel Foundation, Inc. are tax deductible.

For more information about the Laptops for KidZ program visit www.laptopsforkidZ.org.

• Laptops for KidZ places 5th of the "TD Bank Dozen" at Wellfleet Elementary
  
• Fourth of the "TD Bank Dozen" laptops placed in Brewster
  
• Laptops for KidZ gifts five laptops to Brewster after hours program
  
• Laptops for KidZ places second of the “TD Bank Dozen” at Wellfleet Elementary School
  
• Masonic Angels gifts a Laptop for KidZ to Truro School
  
• TD Bank donates a dozen computers to Laptops for KidZ
  
• Masonic Angels gifting laptops to our schools