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SPARKY’S KIDS IMPROVES FUTURE FOR CASA KIDS
Laptop Gift to Dallas CASA Kids Provides New Educational Opportunities
DALLAS, November 10, 2006 -- Ten children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and placed in protective care in Dallas have a brighter future today thanks to the generous donation of ten new Dell laptop computers from Sparky’s Kids. Based in Dallas, and founded by Marc A Sparks, Sparky’s Kids (www.sparkyskids.com) is dedicated to providing new, high quality computers to less fortunate children who desire to learn, yet are financially disadvantaged. Sparky’s Kids has donated hundreds of new computers to well deserving kids and computer labs. Dallas CASA is grateful for the ten new laptops that will give children in foster care a better chance for educational success which will give them a brighter future.
About CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
For 26 years, Dallas CASA has recruited and trained volunteer advocates to speak for child victims of abuse and neglect in the Dallas County District Juvenile and Family Courts. Through thousands of volunteer advocate hours each year, CASA offers Dallas County abused and neglected children a voice in the court system.
When told of the generosity of Sparky’s Kids, Dallas CASA Executive Director, Beverly Levy, said, “This wonderful gift helps our kids keep pace in schools where computer-based learning is so critical and open up a new world of education and communication to kids who otherwise wouldn't have the up-to-date technology that they need.”
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Texans Can! Reflects on its 20 Years in Dallas
February, 2005 |
| Dallas Can! Academy celebrated our 20th Anniversary recently by hosting a ribbon cutting and Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Oak Cliff campus.
More than 200 people were on hand to celebrate this milestone and take a look back at where it all began.
Dallas City Council officials, Dallas Independent School District administrators and business leaders were in attendance to help mark the dedication of the campus to the at-risk teens in the area that face more life struggles in one day than most of us face in a lifetime.
Two of Texans Can!'s biggest supporters, Marc Sparks and Sparky's Kids, provided 18 Dallas Can! students with brand new Dell computers for their hard work and achievement in the classroom. The program has been a big success in encouraging students to do their very best in making sure they have good attendance and make good grades on a consistant basis.
To commemorate Cinco de Mayo a student Folklorico dance group, Ballet Mestizo, from DISD's Townview Center topped off the program with a beautiful combination of dances.
Texans Can! would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their continued support:
The Honorable Dr. Elba Garcia
The Honorable Ed Oakley
The Honorable Steve Salazar
The Honorable Gary Griffith
The Honorable Sandy Greyson
The Honorable Dan Branch
The Honorable Roberto Alonzo
Mr. Ron Price
Mr. Marc Sparks
Sparky's Kids
Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce
Bracewell & Patterson LLP
Continental Cabinets
University of North Texas - Dallas
F.L. Malik, Inc.
Herring Mitsubishi
Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians
Higginbotham
Palmer, Allen & McTaggart
Jackson Walker LLP
Dallas Can! Academy Staff, Students & Parents |
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Sparky's Kids awarded more than 100 computers on January 28, 2005 to Dallas and Fort Worth Can! Academy students who are making positive strides in their education.
Sparky's Kids, which is dedicated to providing new, high-quality computers to financially disadvantaged youth, created the computer incentive program for Texans Can! students to ensure that they have the necessary tools for college.
The incentive program awards deserving students with a brand new Dell computer, complete with a flat-panel monitor. A total of 375 computers will be awarded throughout the school year to the six Dallas and Fort Worth Can! Academy's students.
The program awards the computers every nine weeks based on the following criteria: Students must demonstrate excellent attendance; show marked improvement in class work; exhibit a positive attitude; exhibit a dedication to overcome life's obstacles to complete their education; demonstrate leadership among their peers; and plan to pursue a post secondary education.
Texans Can! truly appreciates the Sparky's Kids organization and the employees of GlobalTec Solutions, LLP and Splash Media, LP for their contributions in improving the lives of academically at-risk students in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. |
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Put a Little Spark in a Kid's Life |
About Sparky’s Kids
Sparky’s Kids™ is dedicated to providing brand new computers to financially disadvantaged youth so that the quality of their education can be maximized. Each child who receives a computer is qualified based upon their report card, school attendance, community involvement and other personal factors. |
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Over the past year, Sparky’s Kids™ has had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful young adults. Many of them have a very poor quality home life, have stepped out of their environment and are taking the steps to excel in their education and become a contributing member of society.
A few of the recipients include:
- The Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year.
- Dallas Metro Ministries youth who personally conduct street ministries every Saturday.
- Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Scholarship Award Recipients.
- Texans Can!
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Sparky’s Kids™ has also helped several small, under-funded educational centers that need to create a computer lab for the youth at their facility. One center that has received computers from Sparky’s Kids™ is The Achievement Center of Texas. They provide day habilitation and educational assistance to young adults with disabilities.
If you personally know of a deserving, financially disadvantaged child who could use a new Dell computer, have them submit a Sparky's Kids Application. |
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425 COMPUTERS AWARDED TO SIX SCHOOLS
IN THE DALLAS/FORT WORTH AREA IN 2004/2005 |
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SPARKY'S KIDS DONATES A COMPUTER LAB TO
THE SAMARITAN INN OF COLLIN COUNTY |
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The Samaritan Inn provides transitional refuge for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, primarily from Collin County, who desire self-sufficiency; and provides temporary emergency shelter to families and individuals in crisis.
Residents who “graduate” from the Samaritan Inn receive all the necessary items to set up their own households- from furniture and bedding to lamps, linens and cleaning supplies. Ongoing support is also provided, for as long as necessary, to insure long term, permanent independence.
Sparky's Kids is pleased to announce its recent addition of 5 Dell computers with software for the new computer lab at the Inn. The new computer lab will further enhance The Samaritan Inn's ability to assist those searching for a way back to independence by providing the necessary tools needed to re-enter today's workforce. |
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BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER DALLAS SELECTS YOUTH OF THE YEAR HONORED BY THE COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY OF NORTH TEXAS
Dallas, Texas (February 10, 2003) – the 32nd annual Youth of the Year Leadership Awards were held to honor the outstanding youth of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and sponsored by The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas. Each candidate is interviewed on the local level, submits two essays and is judged based on their poise, scholastic achievements and the obstacles they have overcome as well as other positive attributes. One member is chosen to represent the Greater Dallas area and will be eligible to compete at the area council level, regional, state and national level for Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year.
Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas and the Boys & Girls of Greater Dallas are proud to announce their 2003 Youth of the Year, Akeem Akinpelu, from the West Dallas Branch. Akeem attends Townview Magnet High School where he participates in advanced placement classes. Akeem is a member of the National Honor Society and a 2003 Eagle Scout. Mr. Akinpelu hopes to become a Psychologist after attending Morehouse College where he was recently accepted.
For nearly 40 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas has been providing quality programs to children and youth, ages 6-18 in neighborhoods where the needs are the greatest. The nine locations in the greater Dallas area serve more than 9,000 youth with over 37 programs, five days a week, 12 months a year.
The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas is pleased to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas to honor local youth and encourage academic excellence, community service and good citizenship. The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas remains committed to youth, education and the community, recognizing that our youth are the future of North Texas. Special thanks to continuing sponsors Sparky’s Kids and the generous folks at Global Tec. |
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Boys and Girls Clubs
Youth of the Year Awards Banquet
February 10, 2004
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Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony |
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George Thompson presents Akeem Akinpelu, winner of theYouth of the Year award, with a new Dell Computer. |
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On February 10, 2004, Sparky’s Kids™ proudly honored ten well-deserving youth with new computers at the 2003 Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas Youth of the Year Awards Banquet. Each received a brand new Dell Pentium 4 computer with a 17” monitor on behalf of Sparky’s Kids™. Congratulations to the Youth of the Year recipients from the following club locations:
- Devin Bozeman; East Dallas
- Raven Smith; Maple Ave.
- Akeem Akinpelu; West Dallas
- Olinthus Roberts; Richardson
- Patsy Lewis; Turner Courts
- Elizabeth Hunter; Grand Prairie
- Chris Rogers; Oak Cliff
- Kimberly Collins; Turnkey
- Jasmine Goodwin; Mesquite
- Donald Beibeitter; Maple Lawn
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Youth Leaders Receive Dell Dimension 2350 Series Computers
Friday, May 9, 2003 |
On May 9, 2003, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas held its 2003 Profiles in Leadership Awards at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas. Sparky’s Kids™ was a proud sponsor of the event. George Thompson, President and Founder of GlobalTec Solutions™ and program director for Sparky's Kids organization, presented brand new Dell Pentium 4 Computers and 17" Monitors to nine outstanding youth of the Boys & Girls Club. The following youth were awarded these computers to aid them in achieving their higher educational goals:
- Brian McCarther
- Brandon Arrington
- Kendra Freeman
- Ashley Lomax
- Tomekia Portis
- Christopher Bennett
- Demario Williams
- Crystal Dukes
- Brittany Kilgore
Sparky’s Kids™ encourages all interested parties to learn more by visiting the website at
www.sparkyskids.com. |
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Ashley Lomax with her new Dell Dimension. |
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| Sparky’s Kids™ Awards Dallas Metro Ministries Students With Computers |
Sparky’s Kids™ proudly awarded 6 well-deserving students from Dallas Metro Ministries each with brand new Dell computers and 17" monitors. “These kids couldn’t be more deserving of the computers,” Clay Wallace, Dallas’ Metro Ministries Director affirmed. He personally mentors these students along with his staff.
Metro Ministries reaches out to children in the nation’s most crime-ridden and poorest neighborhoods. The Metro’s Dallas chapter was established 10 years ago. Currently, they are making a difference in the lives of over 5,000 young people before they are convinced to quit school, join gangs, commit crimes or become pregnant. Metro provides the support necessary to help them continue their education and career planning.
Since Dallas Metro’s inception 10 years ago, most of the computer recipients grew up along with the program. According to Clay, they are Dallas Metro’s first graduation class. “They’re involved because originally they were a part of the program as kids. Now as teens, they’re duplicating what took place in their lives (through the ministry),” Clay said. “It’s very rewarding to see the cycle happen.”
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 George Thompson loads the brand new Dell computers on the Dallas Metro Ministries truck.
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Here are their backgrounds:
Vicente Morelos has been with Dallas Metro for the last 7 years. He is President of their youth council and graduates from high school next
year. Vicente’s goal is to become a youth pastor.
Erika Flores has been at Dallas Metro since it began 10 years ago. She lives in a single parent home and recently graduated from high school. In fact, Erika just received a full scholarship from Brookhaven Jr. College.
Bertha Valdez has been with Dallas Metro most of the last 10 years. She also lives in a single parent home. Like Erika, she just received her high school diploma and will be attending El Centro College.
Jessica Bocanegra has been with Dallas Metro for a couple years. She is involved in Metro’s youth council and is an amazing young lady. Although Jessica comes from a very bad home life, her determination to succeed against all odds continues. As a recent high school graduate, Jessica is well on her way to doing just that.
Pedro Esparza has been with Dallas Metro since he was 4. He has the courage to stand up for what’s right. As a result, Pedro is making a positive impact with his peers.
Jorge Gutierrez is also 14 and like Pedro, has been a part of Dallas Metro since he was 4. His older brother used to bring him when he was little. Jorge is a part of the football program at his high school and is very active in his community.
These students somehow manage to successfully balance school by volunteering in their own community through Dallas Metro program. The work they do with the Ministry is no small task.
Each of them visit at-risk-children every other week to make sure they’re ok and do what they can to help them. The students also bring a message of hope to the most crime-ridden and poorest neighborhoods through Metro’s Sidewalk Sunday School.
They also participate in the Ministry’s Adopt a Block program. This involves the upkeep of low-income neighborhoods like mowing the grass and doing minor repairs.
These driven students even clean the Ministry’s warehouse and 20 vehicles. What drives them? “They want to make a difference—make their life count,” Clay said. “We put them in a position to win. We gave them responsibilities they could handle...then we gave them another opportunity after they developed a little more confidence and were ready for more responsibility.”
Clay had been planning for some time to give away a new Dell computer to a deserving young person who had excelled in academics as well as their volunteer and service work at Dallas Metro. Since he only had one computer to give, he found it difficult to decide who should be awarded the computer. Unfortunately, the Ministry’s financial situation was going to force him to delay the purchase. The 6 computers donated by Sparky’s Kids™ could not have come at a more opportune time.
According to Gina Anderson, Fine Arts Director of the Christian Life Assembly, the kids’ response was ‘emotional and overwhelming’ when they heard the news. “Bertha cried and she told me later she had been praying for a computer. Vicente could barely contain himself; he felt like jumping up and down and running around the building. Some of the kids’ mouths just dropped in disbelief that anyone would do that for them.”
This story doesn’t end there. The kids couldn’t believe the irony that their new computers are so much better than Pastor Clay’s. His was in pretty bad shape. Sparky’s Kids™ caught wind of this and as a result, the Pastor got one too.
On behalf of Sparky’s Kids™, we want to congratulate these incredible students and wish them nothing but success in their very promising futures.
If you’d like to help the young people of Dallas Metro Ministries or Sparky’s Kids™, below is their contact information:
Dallas Metro Ministries
Internship Program
(214) 744-0848 |
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