Computer Recycling for Schools
In the year 2000, just after one of our sight activities, Lion Robin Coleman, mentioned that in a conversation with one of the Tecate Lions that schools in Mexico desperately needed classroom computers. He suggested we might consider helping as a service project. Lion Robin contacted a Laura Palmer who was involved in a project called Family Stabilization. She and an associate, both of whom became Lions, brought their expertise forward and soon got the project under way.
By advertizing we found many companies and individuals who were willing to donate surplus equipment for the cause. As equipment began to become available Lion Don Ranney donated a portion of the barn to be our work space. Everyone (Lions) jumped in and fabricated the work shop. Lion Laura found a person, named Zoal, who had extensive computer experience, and was between jobs, to assist Lion Al Lanlphear, a retired Electronic Engineer, to disassemble incoming computer systems and assemble fully operational computers to be shipped to Mexico.
By advertizing we found many companies and individuals who were willing to donate surplus equipment for the cause. As equipment began to become available Lion Don Ranney donated a portion of the barn to be our work space. Everyone (Lions) jumped in and fabricated the work shop. Lion Laura found a person, named Zoal, who had extensive computer experience, and was between jobs, to assist Lion Al Lanlphear, a retired Electronic Engineer, to disassemble incoming computer systems and assemble fully operational computers to be shipped to Mexico.
It soon became known that there were needy families stateside that also desired lower cost computers. Soon Zoal found employment and Lion Laura contacted Ron Meader (now Lion President Ron Meader) who was studying Computer Networking, who became the primary person in the computer lab. Lion Ron's forward looking needs resulted in his building two quad position work stations where he and Lion Al receive donated equipment, purge the hard drives and assemble high quality Pentium I, II, and III systems for the stateside market. Pentium I and lesser systems are shipped to Mexico. We have placed computers in schools and churches in Blythe, San Bernardino, Banning, Yucaipa, Redlands, Hemet and as far away as Ghana, West Africa, where they used our computers to start a new school, which is open for all HIV/AIDS orphans and under privilege children.
Lion Ron also dedicates time to peripheral items such as printers and fax modems for integrating complete units to fledgling businesses. Our computer project has received International recognition and has become a self sustaining fiscal member of the Calimesa Breakfast Lions Club and recognizes the contributions of Lions Laura Palmer, Don Ranney, Ron Meader and Al Lanphear for it's success.
Lion Ron also dedicates time to peripheral items such as printers and fax modems for integrating complete units to fledgling businesses. Our computer project has received International recognition and has become a self sustaining fiscal member of the Calimesa Breakfast Lions Club and recognizes the contributions of Lions Laura Palmer, Don Ranney, Ron Meader and Al Lanphear for it's success.