[Leaplist] Charitable proposal for Leap members.

Thu Jun 7 11:18:28 EDT 2007

Thanks for the volunteer in the other message, and I am working at this
local level, as I know of no other programs anywhere to help Veterans
who are homeless.

I just know that I have met some on the streets, and "there but for the
grace of God, go I".  So, in trying to "be the change you wish to see in
the world" (M. Ghandi), I have found there is an abundance of computers
 in America, over 300 million will be scrapped this year, and they
represent a HUGE investment in resources and energy that could be
recycled to help others do better.

I figure we should try it here for a cycle or two, and then, post the
plan on the web, and across the Veteran networks.  It could do well for
seniors, assisted living and group homes, nursing homes, possibly.

Does anything exist for the military wounded in rehab. such as the
outpatient at Walter Reed?  I mean, let's start with baby steps, and
then expand.

But, having already talked to the head directors of the local VA
program, and seeing their positive attitudes, hope abounds.

But, Rome wasn't built in a day.  Prove it here, export it there.

Homer Whittaker wrote:
> Patrick:  Yet another avenue into the VA might be through someone such
> as the Linux Magazine.  If someone (Phil you worked with these people
> once I believe?) could contact them and ask them to push such a VA
> Oriented project with ALL Linux readers and Linux Groups we could really
> and truly make a dent in the suits, or whoever.
> Homer Whittaker
> 
> 
> patrick wrote:
>> Dear Bob Knoerzer, and all Leapsters:
>>
>> I await the contact from the VA coordinators for the program.
>>
>> Their explanation to me is that they will issue a donation letter and a
>> letter of appreciation to donors.  One of the letters is to substantiate
>>  a charitable contribution for IRS tax purposes.
>>
>> But, all is pending their internal agreement on my suggestion of this
>> program of instruction to familiarize the Veterans with computers, plus,
>>  the use of GNU/Linux.
>>
>> I stress the use of GNU/Linux for many reasons, such as the case of
>> Julie Amero, a substitute teacher wrongly convicted for a win98
>> pornblast, and whose conviction was overturned yesterday, by the
>> presiding judge.
>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/06/amero_conviction_set_aside/
>>
>> Another important reason is that the majority of the Internet and all
>> Fortune 500 corporations run some FOSS on the servors, and network.
>>
>> Any knowledge of FOSS, as acquired through the use of GNU/Linux puts an
>> employee ahead of the game!  Plus, without the overhead of several
>> anti-malware programs, and with the more efficient code, systems run
>> much faster in GNU/Linux.
>>
>> Thanks for your interest in this, and I hope to hear from the VA by next
>> week.
>>
>> Bob Knoerzer wrote:
>>> As a subscriber to this list and Army Veteran of 8 years. We have
>>> computers at our office in which clients have given us with no use to
>>> them. How can AOKNetworking give these to someone to help with this
>>> process?
>>> I wouldn't mind donating them to this program. How can we proceed?
>>>
>>> Patrick any suggestions?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Bob
>>>
>>> Bob Knoerzer
>>>
>>> AOKNetworking, LLC
>>>
>>> 407-379-9263 office
>>>
>>> 407-379-9265 fax
>>>
>>> www.aoknetworking.com
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: leaplist-bounces at leap-cf.org [mailto:leaplist-bounces at leap-cf.org]
>>> On Behalf Of patrick
>>> Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 7:25 AM
>>> To: This is the Leap Main List
>>> Subject: Re: [Leaplist] Charitable proposal for Leap members.
>>>
>>> Not to jump to far, too fast.  These Veterans need to be conversant
>>> enough to get email and surf jobs.  When we find someone with the desire
>>> and ability to be a Technician, of course we will try to bring them up
>>> to speed.  But, the entire program runs 90 days, and we will get to
>>> visit them for about an hour of it.
>>>
>>> the point here is to do the introduction to Linux on a system, give them
>>> a system they will own and can use in the real world, and possibly
>>> recruit a new club member...  Then the learning can really begin.  These
>>> folks have to get jobs, homes, and everything to subsist in the world.
>>>
>>> Many do not have any source of income, and fell through the cracks...
>>>
>>> Kyle Gonzales wrote:
>>>> I like the idea.  However, if you reallly want to teach them a
>>>> commercially viable skill, you will want to show them how to use RHEL
>>>> or SLES.  Heck, they might even get on a track to get Red Hat or
>>>> Novelll certified, if they are so inclined.
>>>>
>>>> The VA is actually a big open source shop, creating one of the largest
>>>> open source medical apps out there.  I can imagine they would be open
>>>> to it.
>>>>
>>>> On 6/6/07, patrick <pberry2 at cfl.rr.com> wrote:
>>>>> I am a Veteran, and talked to some of the directors at the VA about
>>> one
>>>>> area they might be needing help with.
>>>>>
>>>>> The VA Clinic here in Winter Park houses 60 veterans who have become
>>>>> homeless.  The program rehabilitates them over 90 days or so.  Some
>>> are
>>>>> victims of illness, accidents, but, are now recovered.  I think the
>>>>> program is an OutReach non profit type government sponsored thing.
>>>>> Probably a great way to recycle Public School computers, or
>>> government
>>>>> excess computers... and actually have them out there doing some good
>>>>> instead of just being salvaged to the junk vultures.
>>>>>
>>>>> These folks get some training, some breathing space, clothes, and
>>> some
>>>>> necessities to start over, along with guidance in finding a job and a
>>>>> place to live.
>>>>>
>>>>> We know that to get and keep a job, it often requires some computer
>>>>> skills, some access to computers.  They have two, there.  I can
>>> imagine
>>>>> there are lines.
>>>>>
>>>>> Also, they probably do not run Linux.  So, I am expecting a phone
>>> call
>>>>> from one of the directors, after they have discussed this concept.  I
>>>>> imagine they will run it by their IT guys, which could probably kill
>>> it.
>>>>> My sense is that many folks will do what they are paid to do in their
>>>>> government jobs, but, the thought that volunteers are out here ready
>>> to
>>>>> help just can't intrude into their world.
>>>>>
>>>>> My offer is to give them some of the computers that I have, along
>>> with
>>>>> the latest CDroms of Mepis, PCLinuxOS, and a 30 minute to one hour
>>>>> class, each week for the summer, on a regular schedule, so they are
>>> up
>>>>> to speed when they relocate out in the world.
>>>>>
>>>>> I would like to see each veteran have a computer so as to have some
>>>>> capability to communicate, post their resume, and join in the
>>> community
>>>>> that is of interest to them, on the web.
>>>>>
>>>>> I live about a mile away so it is easy for me to go there.  I will
>>>>> convey more as I learn it.  I am awaiting their call.
>>>
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>>
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