Helping
By Brandon Astor Jones
"Just as [we] made a successful commitment to ensuring that every child has access to public education starting at age 5, we must commit ourselves to ensuring that in the 21st century every child in America has access to technology so that no-one falls behind." — Steve Case
Coming from Steve Case, chairperson of America Online, the words above are refreshing. This an extremely wealthy man recently announced that his family's charitable foundation will provide US$10 million to help establish the PowerUp partnership.
PowerUp "will coordinate private donors and businesses with nonprofit organizations and federal agencies to give [under-served] children access to computers and guidance on how to use the Internet ... America Online ... will [also] give away 100,000 Internet access accounts" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 9).
Case should be commended. Many who have amassed fortunes from the technological advances brought about via the personal computer industry have disregarded those children of the poor and marginalised in the USA. There are a lot of wealthy people who could easily follow his and others' lead. Sadly, most do not. By and large, it is the world's regular, everyday people who help those who are less fortunate.
I have a friend, Del Cassidy, who is anything but wealthy. In fact, often he has need for help himself, although he would never ask for it. Nevertheless, he spends much of his time and resources helping others, many who are total strangers.
For example, when schools or companies upgrade their computer systems, they call Del in to install the new units. Sometimes they have no use for their older equipment and give it to him. He takes it home and rebuilds it so that it works better than when it was new. He then gives the entire outfit to a needy person or family.
As I read about Case's gift, I thought how nice it would be if he and my friend could work the magic of their individual kindnesses together. Unfortunately, the nature of their respective stations in life makes that very unlikely. It would be more realistic to try to team up my friend with those readers of this space who would like to help him.
Computer monitors wear out and do not often lend themselves to repair. Therefore, when Del gives away a computer, he usually has to purchase a new monitor out of his own pocket. This is what he so kindly did for my granddaughter several years ago. Sometimes he simply cannot afford to do that.
If you would like to help him help others, please send your donations — no matter how large or small — and words of encouragement to: Mr Delbert Cassidy, 142 Wilmer Street, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, USA
[The writer is a prisoner on death row in the United States. He welcomes letters commenting on his columns (include your name and full return address on the envelope, or prison authorities may refuse to deliver it). He can be written to at: Brandon Astor Jones, EF-122216, G3-63, Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison, PO Box 3877, Jackson, GA 30233, USA.]