Kiwanis donates computers to students

Livonia, Michigan, Hometown Life
http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20090618/NEWS10/906180582

Briann Minter hopes to accelerate her learning even more.

The Riley School fifth-grader, who is in an accelerated reading and writing program, received a laptop computer Monday from the Livonia Kiwanis Club.

The Kiwanis donated four computers to students in four families in Livonia who have come under difficult times. Briann's mother, Jennie Minter, recently lost her job as an assistant manager at a credit union.

Ryan Wagner, vice president of the Kiwanis and one of the coordinators of the computer donations, said the service club contacted city hall's Sharon Sabat, site coordinator for the city's emergency food assistance program, and asked for the names of families that could use some help.

Will Alford, Kiwanis president, said the club also provides dictionaries to students in the Livonia and Clarenceville districts. “We're also giving away four scholarships to high school seniors,” Alford said.

The Kiwanis purchased the computers from Canton Computer on Plymouth Road in Livonia. Wagner appreciated the efforts of store manager Jason Lewkut for his work on pricing. “They gave us far and away the best price on that,” Wagner said.

“That was just the best news to hear,” said Jennie, the single mother of six children ages 3-17. Briann said she was happy to get the computer “It was really cool,” Briann said. “Now I won't have to go to anyone else for computer projects. Now I can just stay at home.”

Mom added: “She called all of her friends as soon as I told her.”

Jennie said the family had purchased a used computer from Thurston High School when they lived in Redford a few years ago.

Briann hopes it will help her with her classes, such as social studies, science and math.
Her reading and writing skills are at a seventh-grade level.

The computer will help her “explore new worlds and new books,” Briann said. “And you can write anything, imaginary or real life.”

Of course, she'll use the computer for fun, too. She likes Webkinz, a Web site that interacts with children about the care for a plush toy pet. She hopes to someday be a pediatrician.

Jennie expects to use the Dell laptop computer, too.

“I may be using it for jobs, for sending out resumes,” she said. “It truly is a blessing what they (the Kiwanis) do for Livonia.”