APRIL 2008 Issue

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Milestones

Computer Charity Passes 100,000 Mark

Alberta Computers for Schools has officially distributed more than 100,000 refurbished computers. The group keeps good equipment out of landfills and gives APEGGA permit holders and other organizations a meaningful way to recycle — while improving the quality of information technology in Alberta schools, libraries and other learning centres.

	Computer Traffic Guests of the Computers for Schools celebration in Calgary mingle after official presentations. APEGGA has a strong connection to the organization. Many members and permit holders are supporters, and Ross Plecash, P.Eng., APEGGA’s Director, Corporate Affairs & Investigations, is the group’s chair.

The not-for-profit group is part of a Canada-wide program that has kept an estimated 23.4 million kilograms of waste from Canadian landfills since it began in 1994. As well, some 900,000 computers have been distributed in Canada.

The Alberta group held celebrations at schools in Calgary and Edmonton earlier this year to mark its milestone. Major awards went to federal and provincial government departments, transportation providers, equipment donors — many of which are permit holders — and other supporters.

The Hon. Jim Prentice, federal Industry Minister and MP for Calgary Centre North, said during the Crescent Heights High School event in Calgary:  “At Industry Canada, this is one of the programs that we are proudest of and we see the positive effects of Computers for Schools every day across this country.

“Computers for Schools helps educators ensure that all students have hands-on experience, developing technical skills that they can use throughout their lives and which are so critical to today’s global marketplace.”

The minister continued: “This in turn supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to create the best educated, the most skilled and the most flexible workforce in the world.”