LA's Palms Middle School Uses Crowdfunding to Purchase New Computers

Their current computers are outdated, slow and in need of repair. Local parents group is organizing a fundraising campaign to replace the old equipment.

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Palms Middle School

Dec 04, 2014, 08:35 ET

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Palms Middle School in West Los Angeles has a full complement of computers in its library. That's the good news.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141203/162160

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141203/162161

The bad news is that all of the computers are hopelessly outdated. "Our current computers are ridiculously slow, and some don't even work," said Keith McKnight, a member of the Friends of Palms, a nonprofit organization that includes parents, friends, and families of children who attend Palms Middle School.

"It's frustrating for students to try to do class assignments on equipment that takes many minutes to access websites or print documents. Due to budget constraints in our school district, replacing these old, outdated computers will take years, if ever."

So McKnight and several other parents are talking the matter into their own hands. They have launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $20,437, enough to purchase 13 Apple iMac computers with a speed of 2.7 Ghz. This is the minimum specification required by the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The money will also be used to purchase locks and software for security purposes. One of these computers will be used in the back office for the library staff and volunteers to catalog new books.

The Indiegogo page can be viewed at www.indiegogo.com/projects/new-computers-for-palms-middle-school-library.

Donations of any amount are welcome. Contributions that exceed $250 will receive a letter of a charitable donation made to the Friends of Palms.

"By helping us provide new computers to our library, you will greatly inspire and help our students to work more efficiently," said McKnight. "It will enhance their learning experience and enable them to complete their assignments on time."

If the full funding amount of $20,437 is not reached, the amount of money received will be used to purchase of as many of the new Apple computers as possible.

"If we are fortunate enough to exceed our goal, the extra money will be used to provide computers for our video production class," McKnight said. "They are in desperate need of modern computers as well."

For additional information, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/new-computers-for-palms-middle-school-library. Keith McKnight can be reached directly through Email or by telephone at 310-617-1118.

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SOURCE Palms Middle School