WHAT we do
Project Description:
South Jersey Apple Users Group (SJAUG) provides gently used Apple MacIntosh computers to the community. This
community service supports “students” in Burlington County, New Jersey and surrounding areas by providing computing
options to today’s deserving students whose applications have been through our review process and accepted (sample
applications appear on p. 7-10 of this submission). Our group accepts donations of Macintosh computers and peripherals
from businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Functioning as a subsidiary of SJAUG, "Computers for Students" dedicated volunteers meet once a month for "Work
Sessions" to recycle these donated components into working systems in preparation for recipients who would not be able
to obtain a computer otherwise. Since inception in 1998 CFS provided computer systems to the following:
- Traditional Students:
- after school day-care program, Mount Holly, NJ
- college, high and middle school students, Camden and Willingboro NJ; Philadelphia, PA
- ESL students, Ocean County, NJ
- Non-Traditional Students:
- special needs retiree, Marlton, NJ
- homebound disabled journalist, Haddonfield, NJ
- senior citizens assisted living center
- adult computer technology students training for reentry into the work force
- Non-Profit Organizations :
- The Children's Home, Mount Holly, NJ
- Crossroads Shelters, Burlington County, NJ
- JobTech (Epilepsy Foundation of NJ), Westmont, NJ
- Ronald McDonald House, Camden, NJ
Recipients of CFS systems are given an introductory packet including system specifications, complimentary 3 month
membership and encouraged to attend monthly meetings. (Samples appear on p. 11-13 of this submission)
How we will use award money:
If chosen as a winner in the 2004 Jerry Awards SJAUG, Computers for Students would use the monetary award
in one or more of the following ways (listed in order of priority). Please know that the SJAUG treasury does not
have the resources to support these activities. The group is not able to perform much of the basic functions due
to the project not having financial support.
- PRINTER CARTRIDGES & CLEANING SUPPLIES: We have at least 45 ink jet, laser and dot matrix printers of various
manufacture. 99% of these need new ribbons, cartridges, toner and/or cables. They require cleaning and testing; utiliz-ing
solvents, canned air, screen cleaner soft cloths, paper, etc. The lack of the aforementioned supplies has created a
bottle neck with printer testing and related activities. 99% of cases we provide a complete system, CPU, monitor, print-er,
keyboard and mouse (unless the recipient does not require all components). In our current scenario we are present-ed
with a working CPU and a questionable printer because we don't have the resources necessary to get the printer
working again. We will not give anyone equipment unless we know that it was tested and is working.
- RAM, batteries, hard drives, adapters conversion cards, in order to test and upgrade systems to a desirable level.
- SOFTWARE—including diagnostic, complete collection of full-install versions of Mac OS, adaptive packages for individ-uals
with special needs
- PERIPHERALS, i.e., adaptive keyboards for individuals with special needs
HOW we do what we do
See attached PDF
for Supporting Documentation, and forms used in the project.
