Honorable Mention - $500

New Wave Computer User Group Youth Day 2001 A day set aside for “hands on” demonstrations and activities to enable youth to be exposed to current technology and careers in the computer technology fields. Tri County Computer User Group “People Helping People” Computer Lab An outstanding example of a group taking a room at the library that wasn’t even being used and turning it into a program that has served 451 students so far. Cincinnati PC User Group Technology Assisting People In Need (TAPIN) With a businesslike approach this group secured the use of 4,000 square feet of space, incorporated, secured their 501(c) (3) designation and established relationships with numerous agencies to distribute the machines, allowing them to distribute as many as 200 machines in one month. Twin Lakes Computer Users Group Library Volunteerism Volunteers regularly spend four or more hour shifts in the local library to assist library patrons to use the library’s computers and learn about the Internet. Napa Valley PC User Group CyberMill Club House Youth learn the digital skills they need for the 21st century. The NapaValley PC User Group help to locate hardware and software, maintain the equipment and their expertise to computer use by teens. Tulsa Computer Society The Bethesda Boys Ranch Project is an ongoing computer refurbishing project that distributes technology regionally and all over the world.

Ongoing - $1000

Columbia Baltimore User Group The award for Best Ongoing Project goes to the 9 year old Phoenix Project of the Columbia Baltimore User Group that has brought over 3,000 refurbished PCs to the needy in their community.

New - $1000

Tucson Computer Society The award for Best New Project goes to the Tuscon Computer Society and their QUILTS program. This group researches and adapts designs for computerized sewing machines to assist in the creation of quilts for hospitalized, seriously ill children.

Short Term - $1000

Central IA Computer User Group Demolition Derby (ROCK) The award for Best Short Term Project goes to the Recycle Old Computers Kindly (ROCK) Program of the Central Iowa Computer User Group. This program works with the Girl Scouts of Central Iowa and the AAUW Educational Foundation to reach over 100 underserved kids ages 7-19, introducing them to the world “under the hood” of PCs.

Overall Winner - $2500

Greater Cleveland PC Users Group Their Computers Assisting People program (CAP) has gathered, repaired and refurbished several thousand computers and distributed them to over 100 non-profits in the Cleveland and Northeast Ohio region. Because of their work, shut-in seniors get on-line to link to loved ones; victims of domestic violence have acquired cell phones; homeless children in shelters receive computers and technical support and numerous others are getting important access to computer technology.

The Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2001 “Jerry Awards” for Community Service by a user group. The awards are named in honor of APCUG founder Jerry Schneider. With the generous support of sponsors Adobe Systems, Microsoft Corporation and the National Cristina Foundation, the APCUG publicly recognizes and rewards user groups for their outstanding community outreach programs.

"Long before anyone ever heard of a 'digital divide' computer user groups were bringing the empowering benefits of technology to their local communities." said Dan Hanson, founder of the awards and past-president of APCUG. "We are thrilled to be able to recognize these outstanding group projects and are grateful to our sponsors for their support."

The Grand Prize Winner of the 2001 Awards is the Computers Assisting People (CAP) program in conjunction with the Greater Cleveland PC Users Group. The CAP Program has refurbished and donated over 1500 PCs in the inner city Cleveland area. In addition they have successful programs bringing technology to seniors, homeless kids, battered women, the urban poor and the ill and disabled. The quality of numerous lives has been improved by bringing the empowerment of technology to these often-neglected groups.

The award for Best Ongoing Project goes to the 9 year old Phoenix Project of the Columbia Baltimore User Group that has brought over 3,000 refurbished PCs to the needy in their community.

The award for Best Short Term Project goes to the Recycle Old Computers Kindly (ROCK) Program of the Central Iowa Computer User Group. This program works with the Girl Scouts of Central Iowa to reach over 100 underserved boys and girls ages 7-19 and introduces them to the world “under the hood” of PCs.

The award for Best New Project goes to the Tuscon Computer Society and their QUILTs program. This group researches and adapts designs for computerized sewing machines to assist in the creation of quilts for hospitalized, seriously ill children.