Election windfall Gift of office equipment from the Obama campaign thrills Sto-Rox schools

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Word spread quickly last week through Sto-Rox High School when students learned that the administrative offices were filled with Barack Obama paraphernalia.

Students snapped up posters and stickers for their lockers, backpacks and bedroom walls, eager to commemorate the victory of the first African American to ascend to the nation's highest office.

The enthusiasm excited administrators, but it's not what brought tears to the eyes of Jean Schmalzreid, the district's director of federal programs and special projects. That happened when she saw school facilities workers bring in dolly after dolly piled high with thousands of dollars worth of supplies donated from Obama campaign offices in Pittsburgh.

Six computers will be dedicated to creating learning centers for struggling middle school students. An all-in-one printer, copier and fax machine will hum all day in the middle school library. And the art department received piles of markers, paint and poster board.

They were part of a program Mr. Obama's campaign, funded better than any in the history of American politics, devised in partnership with iloveschools.com, a Web site that helps connect teachers with organizations that donate school supplies.

"President-elect Obama's outreach just means the world to us," Ms. Schmalzreid said. "The man had the foresight to plan this. In the middle of a huge national campaign, he's thinking about poor children."



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08317/927129-181.stm

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Wow - way to walk the walk Obama campaign! 200 campaign offices in 10 states are doing this!

[Kali]

1. ...

so cool

[DoctorMyEyes]

2. I wonder if that's where my flags went

I didn't need the coffeemaker or phones back, and I am grateful that someone put aside my boombox and CDs - but, I've been feeling a little bummed about losing all my flags. By the time I could get to the office on Thursday it was all cleaned out.

Today was Veteran's Day and I didn't have a flag to fly...

[Lisa]

13. I've helped take down campaign offices before ... maybe someone will remember?

Sometimes people take stuff home to hold onto it for other workers, if they have to clear out a space quickly. I hope that's what's happened to some of your things! Good that you got your music system back anyway.

[DoctorMyEyes]

14. Thanks, Lisa

I'm sure they ended up somewhere worthwhile. It's my own fault for not getting to that office and assisting with the cleanup. I shouldn't have assumed that the lease would last till at least the middle of the month.

Even if they just ended up as small souvenirs for some of the other volunteers, that's okay. It was such a great experience. I'll just get over it and buy some more flags to fly!

[Kaleko]

3. Generosity instead of exploitation -- what a concept!

[Kaleko]

4. Generosity instead of exploitation -- what a concept!

[Bette Noir]

5. What a guy...

(swoon)

[Bushies gotta go]

6. THIS IS OUR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the midst of story after story of fear, hate and anguish, this brings a chill to my spine. I'm so happy that we elected Barack.

[aquart]

8. Not. Yet. The other one is still there will all that power.

[Swagman]

9. you mean a REAL president..not some phoney

[RamboLiberal]

7. The charity they are working with really sounds worthy

http://iloveschools.com/

iLoveSchools.com is a free donor-matching service for education! School teachers build WishLists of equipment, materials and supplies; anything they need for their classroom. Donors locate teachers through our WishList search and offer their donations of new or used items or the cost of the teacher's WishList.

100% of donations go directly to a school teacher in need!

I'm going to add it to my list.

[acmavm]

10. Future politicians take note: Here is how you act toward your constituents.

You start helping people and improving their lives, even in little ways.

I guess unless you're republicans and you immediately start stealing everything in sight.

[tclambert]

11. Not even in office yet, and he's already helping schools.

And without attacking teachers or administrators, nor burdening them with unfunded mandates.

[4_TN_TITANS]

12. Outstanding....

Just sent this to my wife at school, with her NEA/TEA connections this will everywhere in no time.

What a truly class act.