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16 August | 2003 |
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Press Clipping: Buena Park Independent Image Arts Foundation launches
Computers2Schools.org The then-new program was established to collect, refurbish and distribute “obsolete” computers into local schools that otherwise could not afford current technology. After founder Chris Pflanzer spoke to the Buena Park Noon Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce, an anonymous donor stepped up and volunteered a building for the organization, free of charge for nearly two years. But that building is set for demolition, and Image Arts Foundation is about to become a cause without a home. “We were really lucky to get the current building, but now we’re knocking on doors looking for new place,” Pflanzer said. “I guess it’s part of the process.” The foundation was established in 1994 to help students improve education through art. When Pflanzer toured his daughter’s elementary school in 2001, he learned the school could not afford computers for student use. There was only one computer per room and that was just for the teacher’s use. In California alone, 6,000 computers become obsolete every day, but many of these machines can be upgraded and still be useful in educational environments, which have lesser processing requirements than the corporate world. With this in mind, Chris and his team set out to redirect some of that equipment to local schools. Image Arts Foundation began accepting computers by the dozens from individuals and corporations flooding Pflanzer’s garage, living room and dining room. After nine months -- and pleas from his family to reclaim their living area – Pflanzer and his group finally decided to search for a permanent facility. It didn’t take long to find a donor, who wishes to remain anonymous despite the generosity of his charity. Since that time the organization has worked with dozens of volunteers, primarily from Orange County technical colleges. These volunteers help refurbish machines to elementary school specifications, clearing hard drives to eliminate any possibility of old data becoming accessible to curious young minds. They even equipped them with network cards so they could be connected to the Internet. Computers had to be “fully functioning, with sound cards, monitors, CD ROM’s and a mouse that worked,” Pflanzer said. Within several months a computer lab was up and running at his daughter’s school – the first of many to benefit from the foundation. In addition to the lab, computers were setup in every classroom for which a teacher requested them. "One first-grade teacher requested 10 computers and she got them," Pflanzer said. That one school received almost 200 computers. "Parents and teachers were thrilled to have the machines available and smiles on the kid’s faces were a powerful confirmation of our success," Pflanzer said. But then Pflanzer thought: why stop with only one school or district? And so the program just continued to grow. "We set up a goal of 100 percent student access to technology," he said. "Generous donations allow us to maintain a building and a technical team dedicated to refurbishing obsolete computers and other school-friendly equipment," he said. "But we can only continue our project as long as we have community support; we are always in need of more equipment and financial contributions to allow us to pay for incidentals such as insurance and a phone line so we can have access to drivers," Pflanzer said. And now they are in need of a building to continue refurbishing and housing the equipment. He admits that it is a lot of work, "but our kids are worth it," he said, noting that they are always looking for tech-savvy people to help refurbish the donated computers. "This is a great opportunity for high school or college students going into technology fields or people who have a little time to spare," he said. There is even an opportunity for those who can do pickups or deliveries, or staff a booth at the upcoming Buena Park Noon Lions Silverado Days fair, which comes up the third weekend of October. That event helps the organization raise hundreds of dollars a year. According to Pflanzer, "When you volunteer, you not only do a great service for the community, you have the unique opportunity to impact children in your own neighborhood." The refurbished computers are available for free to public and private schools, churches and libraries, among other groups. For information, visit www.image-arts.org or call 714-521-5111. |
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