Christopher's Story
Overcoming the challenge of autism to find a job where his talents shine
.... MORE
|
|
 |
 |
IBM Donates Computers through its KidSmart Early Learning Program
|
IBM has a soft spot for pre-K children and shows it by donating thousands of kid-friendly computers
worldwide to schools and community centers through its
KidSmart Early Learning Program. Local IBM representatives came to United Way of Greater
Cleveland recently to present several of these units to area organizations.
Cynthia Andrews, IBM Senior Location Executive, brought some holiday cheer to United Way's
offices on December 13, 2006 by presenting three Young Explorer
computer play stations to representatives from Community United Head Start & Day Care, Inc.,
Cuyahoga Council for Community Urban Development and MetroHealth Foundation.
|
|
|
IBM presented three local organizations with Young Explorer
computers at United Way on December 13. Left to right: Mike Benz, President and CEO,
United Way of Greater Cleveland; Minister Marie Gray and Kelene Robinson, Cuyahoga
Council for Community Urban Development; Maurice Odom, Community United Head Start &
Day Care, Inc.; Cynthia Andrews, Senior Location Executive, IBM; Margie Little,
Administrative Assistant, IBM; Gale Thomas, Community United Head Start & Day Care,
Inc.; Bill Plato, Executive Vice President, United Way of Greater Cleveland;
Emily Speer, Trish Remark and Michelle Wood, MetroHealth Foundation.
|
|
Young Explorer play stations, manufactured by IBM and Little Tikes, are loaded with educational
software from Riverdeep - The Learning Company. The Young Explorer is the centerpiece of the
IBM
KidSmart Early Learning Program, which integrates interactive teaching and learning activities
into the pre-kindergarten curricula using the latest technology. The program is being implemented
in 60 countries internationally, serving more than 2 million children from remote geographic areas
to underprivileged neighborhoods of towns and cities.
"Among its many public service donations, IBM matches equipment to the needs of places where its own
employees volunteer, and I volunteer at a school, which in turn received a Young Explorer computer play
station," says Andrews. "The play station is like a movie theater -- it draws the interest of other
children in the room besides the one using it. We had to order an additional play station bench because
so many kids wanted to sit down to watch and interact with it."
Trish Remark, a Child Health Specialist from MetroHealth Foundation, was thrilled with the donated
computer play station, noting that MetroHealth Medical Center already has one of these computers for
children to use in their inpatient department, but will now be able to add one their outpatient
department as well.
"United Way truly appreciates this partnership with IBM," said Bill Plato, Executive Vice President
of United Way of Greater Cleveland. "Donating the computer stations to these organizations will be a
great use for the equipment."
Regarding the donated Young Explorer units, someone in the group said, "This is too cool." Indeed.
Thanks, IBM.
|
|
|
