Laptops for KidZ places 12th (and final) of the "TD Bank Dozen" through the Brewster After School Program

Editor's note: The Masonic Angel Foundation recently completed its first series of computer donations through its Laptops for KidZ program made possible by the generous support of TD Bank. In short, the bank donated twelve laptops to LFK, where they were refurbished by volunteers, loaded with software and delivered to students in Brewster (6), Wellfleet (3), Eastham (1), Orleans (1) and Truro (1). Many of the laptops went to homes with more than one child. In all, 26 children benefited from the bank's gift. Use the links below to learn more about this important program and the recipients of each of the laptops.

The Masons will continue offering aid to the children of Cape families in need through LFK when they will soon distribute the next series of laptops made possible by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Check back for future reports.

The final TD Bank laptop goes to a family with six children ranging in age from five to seventeen

The Laptops for KidZ project of the Masonic Angel Foundation has placed the twelfth of the dozen IBM ThinkPad’s donated by TD Bank. This article is number twelve in an exclusive Cape Cod Today series that follows each of the “TD Bank Dozen” laptops. Laptops for KidZ was introduced to TD Bank through a partnership with Cape and Islands United Way.

Christine Sieger at the Nauset Youth Alliance/Brewster After School Child Care (BACC) program is a very active partner of the Masonic Angel Fund. MAF has served the children of BACC for twelve years. On Tuesday, June 8th the Laptops for KidZ program delivered a total of five IBM ThinkPads to the Brewster After School Child Care office at the Stony Brook School.

Masonic Angel Fund volunteer Michael Leighton and Nauset Youth Alliance/Brewster After School Child Care bookkeeper Susan O’Neill hold two of the five TD Bank laptops that were placed in Brewster by the Laptops for KidZ project.

TD Bank Laptop #12 was provided for a family with six children ranging from ages five to seventeen. The children’s hard-working, single mother was not able to purchase a home computer for the family. The computer was delivered by LFK project director Mario Meré on behalf of the Universal Masonic Angel Fund chapter that serves children in Orleans, Brewster and Eastham. As usual, in addition to the pre-loaded Open Office and Avast! anti-virus software, the school loaded the computer with some specialized software suitable to the children’s educational needs.

Masonic Angel Fund co-founder Robert Fellows remarked that, “…here we have a situation where one computer can help six children. As they have in the past, the school professionals in Brewster added learning software to the laptop that was appropriate to the educational needs of the younger chidren.”

Universal’s Masonic Angel Fund chapter provided approximately $9,000 in charitable assistance to children in the Nauset region during the past school year. The very first Masonic Angel Fund was established at Universal Masonic Lodge in Orleans back in 1998. Today the Masonic Angel Foundation oversees 142 chapters in twelve states.
Established in March, Laptops for KidZ (LFK) places laptop computers with local schools to be sent home with children who would not otherwise have computer access outside school hours. LFK tries to focus on situations where there is a demonstrated educational need for which the school has a plan that requires the use of a computer to address that need.

TD Bank’s Larry Squire, who arranged the bank’s donation, was introduced to the Laptops for KidZ program by Cape and Islands United Way president Richard Brothers. Mr. Squire arranged for the donation of the dozen machines just prior to his retirement in May.

As with all activities of the Masonic Angel Foundation, the program's volunteers never know the identity of a recipient child. All transactions are conducted at arm's length with the school professionals working as a go-between to preserve privacy. LFK does not accept direct requests from potential recipients. Requests for laptops must come through a school or other partner agency. LFK computers are configured in English and are only available to legal residents of the United States. The TD Bank laptops are eligible to be placed between Plymouth and Provincetown through local Masonic Angel Fund chapters.

LFK accepts donations of functional Windows-based notebook computers. "Functional" means that the laptop will power up and is accompanied by its proper AC adapter. LFK generally does not accept donations of desktops or monitors and does not accept any Apple product. Donations to the 501(c)(3) Masonic Angel Foundation, Inc. are tax deductible.

For more information about the Laptops for KidZ program visit www.laptopsforkidZ.org.