Reaching an N.L. milestone
Computers for Schools NL has donated more than 50,000 units in its history
Another man’s trash has continued to be society’s treasure.
The proof of this statement held true last week as Computers for Schools NL (CFSNL) celebrated a milestone of providing more than 50,000 computers to schools, libraries, registered not-forprofit organizations and Indigenous communities.
This milestone was celebrated during an announcement at the CFSNL depot in C.B.S.
“The delivery of 50,000 refurbished computers by Computers for Schools NL is a milestone that has significantly impacted the lives of many Newfoundland and Labrador citizens over the past 24 years,” Allan Miller, chair of the Board of CFS NL said.
“This achievement is the result of the work of our dedicated staff and volunteers,’’ he said as it benefits schools by giving them access to a system in need of help.
“They don’t get enough funding to provide computers for the labs for the students,’’ he said.”
“This program has stood the test of time as we are heading into our 25th anniversary.”
Miller said the CFSNL is a national program that just recently celebrated its own milestone with the delivery of 1.5 million computers by the Government of Canada’s CFS program.
Locally, the latest programs and schools to benefit from the donations are:
• Virginia Park Community Centre
• Mount Pearl Senior High
• Frank Rogers Junior High
• Morris Academy
• Froude Avenue Community Centre
Bursary announced
In addition, a long-serving member of the CFSNL was honoured during the ceremony for his dedication to the program.
A bursary for $1,000 was announced in memory of Boyd Summers who died of cancer recently. He was a member of the Telecom Pioneers who helped start the CFSNL. Summers served as chair and vicechair of the program and helped guide it through its first 40,000 or so donations.
The bursary will go to a student attending the college of the North Atlantic.
CFSNL background
Formed in 1993, the CFS program has helped meet the demand for computers in Canadian classrooms and communities.
As a participant in the Youth Employment Strategy, CFS NL has also been able to provide hundreds of young people with valuable technical work experience.
Since 1999, the program provided in excess of 155,000 hours of training to nearly 200 young students and graduates across Newfoundland and Labrador under the Technical Work Experience Program, Canada Summer Jobs Program and Student Work and Service Program.
Historically, a third of the computers refurbished by the program have come from the federal government, a third from the provincial government and a third from the private sector.
In addition, CFS NL is making a huge
impact on the environment as since 2005, it has disposed of more than two million pounds of electronic waste just from schools in this province at Environment Canada certified recyclers in Ontario and Quebec keeping it out of this province’s landfills.