WCE Chicago Chapter is on the Move
So much is happening in our Chicago Chapter! They have a new space, a new corporate supporter, and were featured on the local ABC affiliate.
A New Space, Great Supporters
In December 20110, WCE Chicago Chapter lost their rent-free space that they had through the generosity of property manager, Mike Ryan the Chapter. Then in early July 2011 American Wilbert Vault Corp through the efforts of Robert Allen, made leasing a 1500 square foot warehouse space at 11118 S. Rockwell Ave in Chicago possible. And they upgraded the space as well! The great feature about the new WCE Chicago workplace is more room and a real loading area that together helps facilitate the entire process of inspection, testing, refurbishing, preloading content and shipping. Many thanks to American Wilbert Vault Corp and Robert who are supporters of WCE.
Neighbors in the warehouse have also been supportive. Tom and Karen Bucina the Chicago Concrete Studio have offered use of their large cargo van for computer pickups. Carlos Alexander who operates BAP, an automotive products manufacturing facility, has offered WCE use of their fork lift.
Up Coming Shipment
WCE Chicago is now working toward a mid-November shipment of 200 computers for children in Nicaragua. This shipment is sponsored by New Horizons Learning Centers. Volunteers have begun cleaning and testing equipment. Bob Kessler and Greg Neumarke are coordinating the installation process for Spanish versions of Ubuntu operating systems, Open Office suite and some educational content. The computers for this shipment have been donated by Walgreens, The Chicago History Museum, Kankakee Community College, The Chicago Executive Airport, Healthcare Alternatives Systems and Barnes & Thornburg LLP. And as we all know, behind every company's computer donation is someone who champions the donation. Many thanks to Millie Liggins (WCE Board Member), Walgreens has donated about 2/3 of the computers that have left Chicago since 2009, Rich Schultz, Kankakee Community College has given over 200 computers to our efforts, Rey Garcia and Don Pasqualini from the Chicago History Museum and Ken Kobe from Barnes & Thornburg LLP and Dan Irwin from Healthcare Alternative Systems. These groups have supported the Chicago Chapter for the last 3 years.
FYI: On Saturday, September 10, 2011 WCE Chicago is having an Open House for the public and to accept donations of working computers.
New Horizons Gets Involved
WCE and the Chicago Chapter welcome the support of New Horizons Corporate Learning Centers, our newest Corporate Supporter. Just one of the projects New Horizons has taken on is to sponsor the Nicaraguan shipment. Plus, Jessica Burnett, the Marketing Manager for New Horizons Great Lakes, has agreed to join the WCE Chicago team as the new Marketing Lead.
Lights, Action, We're on TV!
Recently WCE Chicago was featured on ABC Ch 7 News feature, Live Green with ABC 7 News. WCE Coordinator Jack O'Donnell, volunteers, Sam Powers and Greg Neumarke, and supporters Millie Liggins from Walgreens and Jessica Burnett from New Horizons were all interviewed for this piece. And the publicity generated computer donations as well as interested volunteers for the chapter. Watch the video.
Learn more about our Chicago Chapter, volunteer or come to an open house. And you can follow them on Facebook
