Alberta Computers for Schools Celebrates 20th Anniversary

CALGARY, Dec. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - Alberta Computers for Schools (ACFS) celebrates its 20^th anniversary.  Computers for Schools (CFS) is a Canada-wide initiative providing refurbished computers - at little or no cost to recipients - to Canadian schools, public libraries, and non-profit learning organizations.  Financial and operational support is currently provided by both the Government of Alberta (Alberta Education/Service Alberta) and the Government of Canada (Industry Canada).

The Alberta program operates as a registered not for profit association.  ACFS receives donations of computers, refurbishes these computers and distributes them to K-12 schools all across Alberta.  This equates to some 12,000 to 14,000 computers going to schools and to other not for profit associations each year.

Ross Plecash, Chair of the ACFS Board of Directors states: "We're very proud of our history and proud of the work we do to support the education of Alberta's students.  We know we make a difference by playing an important role in ensuring all students have equity of access to the digital learning world."

Alberta Computers for Schools also makes important contributions to the environment by extending the useful life of thousands of computers and helping to reduce the environmental footprint of the governments of Alberta and Canada.

According to Plecash : "Each year ACFS ships in excess of 300,000 pounds of computers and associated equipment for recycling.  This means that some 450,000 pounds of additional material is diverted from the recycling stream each year.  We applaud the work of our registered recycling company partners."

Approximately 75 percent of the computers received by ACFS come from the Government of Alberta and its various departments through Service Alberta. ACFS also receive computers from several Federal government agencies and departments and major corporate donors including Telus, ATCO and Imperial Oil. 

Plecash is careful to point out that:  "The generous donations we receive from our government and corporate supporters are really the lifeblood of our organization.  It is their support and their donations that make it possible for us to do what we do.  We are extremely grateful for their continued support."

ACFS currently has significant distribution operations located in Calgary and Edmonton.

Further information on Alberta Computers for Schools can be found at:  www.cfsalberta.ca

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Alberta Computers for Schools
12360 142 Street
Edmonton Alberta T5L 4X9
Board of Directors

Mr. Ross Plecash (Chair)
Director, Corporate Affairs and Investigations
APEGA (The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta)

Mr. Kevin O'Neil (Vice-Chair)
Senior Consultant,
Stantec Consulting

Ms. Kerry Anderson (Secretary - Treasurer)
Library Consultant
Alberta Municipal Affairs

Mr. Ed Wittchen (Director)
Alberta School Boards Association/Council of Alberta School Superintendents

Ms. Vivian Ayoungman
Executive Director
First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium
and Treaty 7 First Nations Education Association (Kainai and Siksika)

Mr. Robert Burwood
Director, I. T Services and Operations Management
Alberta Education

Mr. Dave Hardwick
Director, Surplus Sales and Warehousing
Service Alberta

Mr. Rob Lucas
Dell Canada

Mr. Garrett Jones
Account Manager
Unified Computing Systems
Cisco Systems - Alberta

Mr. Gregor Allan
Senior Manager, Sales
Bell Business Markets
Bell Canada

Mr. Duncan Wu
Regional Manager - Projects
Health Canada

Mr.Don Ginther
Manager I.T Services
First Nations (Alberta) Technology Services

Mr. Rodger Stayer
Supervisor, Edmonton Logistics
Alberta Computers for Schools

Mr. Rick Baker
Executive Director
Alberta Computers for Schools

SOURCE: Alberta Computers for Schools Association

Rick Baker, Executive Director
Alberta Computers for Schools
Phone: [phone].  E-mail:  [email protected]