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Town
Computer Kicks Off its 2nd Fundraising Campaign to Combat Hunger in
Haiti.
By:
Loraine Owens
On July 2nd, with a crowd of
customers, employees, business partners and volunteers, Karrie Ann
Jean, Town Computer’s Vice President, flanked by her husband Jacques
Dady Jean, launched their second fundraising to combat hunger in
Haiti. Last year, Town Computer raised $72,000 for Haiti; most of
these funds came from a program that subtracted a dollar per month
from each dial-up Internet service account and 5 dollars from each
customized PC sold. All the funds accumulated into the grand sum
topped off by customer’s tips and donations were then donated to the
Haitian Children’s Relief Project. Town Computer is a Massachusetts
based technology solutions provider.
Town Computer once again renewed its pledge to
repeat the same program and added 2 dollars from the proceeds of PC
and laptop repair services to the program. Throughout the past year,
Town Computer developed a series of computer literacy CD’s dedicated
to Haitian computer users aimed at raising funds for this project. All
the proceeds from the sale of these CD’s go directly to the
Haiti’s Children Relief Project. Following last year’s campaign, Town Computer distributed
food, school materials and uniforms as well as scholarships to many
children and families in Haiti. Although the general condition of
Haiti has declined due to civil unrest and other social and political
turmoil, Karrie Ann vowed not to give up on her little Haitian
friends.
Karrie Ann, the lead advocate for the Haitian
Children’s Relief Project, was born in Quincy, Mass and grew up in
Hanson, Mass, a neighborhood where the minority population is less
than 1%. She began her crusade of helping poor children while in
college. In 1993, she traveled to Nigeria in an attempt to adopt a
child born with physical defects that needed surgical intervention
that is possible only in the US. In search of aide for the Nigerian
children, she met Jacques who become impressed by her great heart and
her passion to help the poor.
In the beginning, Karrie Ann’s project suffered
due to a lack of resources, however, she continued to contact friends
to obtain used clothing and school materials for Haiti. Jacques and
Karrie Ann married in 1994 and she gave birth to two children.
Between school, work and caring for her children, Karrie
Ann’s charity stalled for nearly 5 years.
The couple moved to Boston and in 1999 they
created Town Computer, a technology solutions provider focused on
providing computer services to local business owners. The company grew
rapidly and was placed among the top 10 Computer Service Providers in
the Boston’s Business Journal in 2002, 2003 and again in 2004. Town
Computer is currently providing computer and dial-up Internet service
to 85,000 residences nation-wide.
Karrie Ann and Jacques created Town Computer’s
Community Partnership Program in 2003, a program that provides
computer services to local community organizations free of charge or
at a reduced price. The
Community Partnership Program also helps with community services
including homework help, mentoring, computer literacy and community
radio programs. Town Computer also gives small grants and free
computer equipment to local organizations.
With the rising violence in Haiti since the
US-backed rebel uprising that forced the popular elected President
Aristide to leave Haiti in February 2004, the social conditions of
Haiti are deteriorating. The U.S. has closed the Embassy and brought
its personnel home, the Peace Corps was forced to leave Haiti and many
other organizations that used to provide humanitarian aide in Haiti
are closing their doors to escape from violence.
Now, more than ever, there is more need in Haiti.
Town Computer expects to raise more money this
year, considering that its sales have increased by 12%, and Town
Computer is now beginning an expansion of its market base to make
their state-of-the-art services and quality products available to a
larger market base.
Town Computer benefits from a broad range of
customers and its free pick-up and delivery and mail-in service give
the company a strategic advantage over its competitors. Small business
owners, busy professionals, elders and people with disabilities take
advantage of their affordable and convenient services. Each time you
do business with Town Computer this summer, you are contributing to
put food on the table of another starving child.
On behalf of the Haitian children, bigboston.com
endorses Town Computer’s campaign for Haiti and is inviting you to
do business with Town Computer, they offer a variety of computer
related services Dial-up Internet Service is available nationwide. You
can make a donation to the campaign at www.towncomputer.com
or by mail at Town Computer,
26 Regis Road, Boston MA 02126
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