Pottstown Chromebook Campaign Gets $1,000 Boost
POTTSTOWN PA – The Foundation for Pottstown Education fund-raising campaign to buy Chromebook computers for Pottstown School District students’ use in virtual classes has received another boost, with a $1,000 donation from the Pottstown chapter of the NAACP, the foundation reported Tuesday (Oct. 6, 2020). The donation honors Elder Janine Brandt and Alexis Artis, both of whom valued education.
The funds were made possible by Mr. and Mrs. John Milligan in memory of Elder Brandt, mother of chapter President Johnny Corson; by Vince Artis in memory of his daughter, Ms. Artis; and by the membership of the Pottstown NAACP. Milligan is president of the Norristown NAACP; Artis is a member of the Pottstown NAACP and the Montgomery Elks in Pottstown.
The foundation launched its Chromebook campaign after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf closed all schools to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
In presenting the contribution (above), Corson noted “we were all amazed by the foundation’s swift response to the school district’s need for hundreds of Chromebooks and additional resources to keep everyone safe. Thousands of families across the region faced insecurities and digital barriers making education a burden. This is no longer true in Pottstown due to your action and generous support of your donors.”
On hand to represent the foundation were its president, Dr. Tracey Brown, Vice President Georgette Howell, and Executive Director Joe Rusiewicz. All three praised the NACCP for its work in the community, and thanked the chapter for its support. “Both of our organizations are here with a mission to improve the quality of the lives of our community. This donation and support from a sister non-profit shows how well our community comes together,” Rusiewicz said.
When the campaign began, one of every four district students lacked a device to support online learning and continuation of their education. With the most recent donation, according to the foundation, more than 80 donors have provided funding for 785 devices.
The campaign was aided by a grant from the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, in which every dollar raised up to $100,000 was matched. An anonymous alumnus of The Hill School kicked off the fund match with a $50,000 donation.
For more information about the foundation and the Chromebook campaign, contact Rusiewicz by e-mail at jrusiewicz@pottstownk12.org.
Check photo supplied by the Foundation for Pottstown Education
Top photo by Adrian Swancar via Unsplash, used under license
