By Mike Earley
Early this year KeySpan Foundation’s Executive Director, Robert Keller and Jean Tesoriero, KeySpan Foundation project director hosted a luncheon at the National Grid Facility in Melville to celebrate the completion of a very successful year.
Thanks to the joint effort of the KeySpan Donation Project / SeniorNet computer refurbishing project, a large number of computers have been recycled and donated to many not-for-profit organizations. Since the computer refurbishing project began in 2001, more than 4,500 computers have been revitalized by the “elves” and donated to the community by the KeySpan Foundation.
The direct beneficiaries of this program include not-for-profit entities, schools, churches and more. Additionally, the community benefits because this equipment might otherwise add to the solid waste stream and contribute to toxic pollution.
This work was successfully completed at the National Grid Facility in Melville, better known as Santa’s workshop. In appreciation for the KeySpan support, SeniorNet volunteers from the Don Weidman Computer Learning Center presented a unique graphic collage to Bob Keller and Jean Tesoriero of the KeySpan Foundation. The collage featured photos of the “elves” at work in the National Grid facility in Melville, as well as some commemorative drawings by SeniorNet’s resident artist, Russ Day.
Pictured above and starting with the back row from the left are SeniorNet volunteers Ed Kristol, Marty Kushnick, Nick DeFlorio and Judy Krupka. Holding the commemorative collage is Bob Keller, KeySpan Foundation executive director and to his left are John Rozzo, Doug Focchi and Don Mackenzie, all from the National Grid Facility. In the middle row are SeniorNet volunteers Ken Taylor, Eric Vero, Slava Vero and Joe Fiore. Kneeling are Richie Chang-National Grid IT, Peter Cann-SeniorNet, Fran DiLeonardo-National Grid IT, Joe Lamagna-SeniorNet, Mike Latva-National Grid IT, Roe Oetiker, Don Stone-SeniorNet and Jean Tesoriero-KeySpan Foundation Project Director.