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The 2002 Jerry Awards

Thanks to the continued generosity of charter sponsors Adobe Systems and Microsoft Corporation as well as support from longtime partner and repeat sponsor National Cristina Foundation, the Association of Personal Computer User Groups announced the winners of the 2002 Jerry Awards at our event at Fall Comdex.

The Jerry Awards recognize and reward community service projects by user groups. The funds that are awarded to a group are used to further the project in their community.

Long before anyone had heard of the "digital divide", user groups were actively involved in bringing the empowerment of technology to their communities, said former APCUG president and Jerry Award founder Dan Hanson.

The user group motto of "users helping users" evolved into APCUG's role of "user groups helping user groups". The next step in the evolution was "user groups helping the community".

Almost 30 worthy projects were submitted for these prestigious awards. APCUG and the Jerry Award sponsors are pleased to announce these worthy projects as winners of the 2002 Jerry Awards.

Best Overall Project

$1500.00

Dayton, Ohio

The DMA works on the Ohio Technology Access Project (OTAP) which, since 1995, has distributed over 4,000 computers to organizations working with the disabled and disadvantaged. They have expanded their reach beyond the Dayton area into Africa, Native American populations in OK and SD and Appalcahian communities in WV.
They are now expanding to cover a network of nursing homes in the Miami Valley area to keep seniors in contact with loved ones and the community.

Best Ongoing Project

$1000.00

Fast Forward

Columbia, S.C.

Fast Forward works in a community technology center in a collaborative effort with the local United Way, school districts, etc. They have programs for students, seniors, the disabled and people returning to the workforce. Summer technology camps focus on kids and include a Hispanic Culture Camp. Over 30 8-14 year olds give an average of 4,000 hours of volunteer time annually.

Best Ongoing Project

Honorable Mention

$500.00

Cincinnati, Ohio

The Technology Assisting People in Need (TAPIN) project of the Cincinatti PCUG has been refurbishing donated computers to economically deprived students, handicapped people and others in need for several years.

Best New Project

$1000.00

Orleans, Ontario, Canada

The Garneau User Group's motto - "Where young users become lifetime users" is reflected in their average age of 17. The group undertook the design, refurbishing, upgrading and maintenance of the network infrastructure at Garneau High School.

Best New Project

Honorable Mention

$500.00

Bowling Green, Kentucky

The Bowling Green group helped set up a networked PC lab with internet service for a nursing home for use by its residents and staff. User group members continue their efforts with mentoring and training of the people.

Best Short Term Project

$1000.00

Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Tulsa CS has a project with the Bethesda Boys Ranch which uses refurbished computers for adult education, vocational training, English as a second language training, counseling and so on.

Best Short Term Project

Honorable Mention

$500.00

Sutter Creek, California

Though a small group (88 members), the Amador CUG has a variety of projects they are involved with including working with students, retarded citizens, the library, a hospice, seniors and more.