SunAmerica AIG Donates to YTF's Cause

Eduardo Soto, who handles all of SunAmerica's IT equipment, realized he would have a good number of computers to donate. He began looking for an organization that would actually benefit from the equipment and, in his own words, "not just see it as a giveaway." Through an internet search, Eduardo learned about Youth for Technology Foundation, and contacted the YTF office to see if YTF would be interested in the computers. "I could hear the excitement in the Executive Director's voice as she explained how her organization would make use of the equipment," Eduardo said.

There was, however, a challenge that YTF would have to overcome to secure the equipment. YTF had to get the computers out of SunAmerica's headquarters as soon as possible.

YTF immediately contacted Mason Funk, a film producer and a YTF volunteer living in the Los Angeles area and asked if he could help retrieve the equipment donation from SunAmerica and take it to a local storage unit. Mason immediately agreed to help. "It's a great chance to do something tangible for an organziation whose goals I support," he stated.

YTF's program partner, Shurgard, donated a storage unit at one of their Los Angeles locations. Shurgard also donated a 15' truck for the one day move. Mason Funk selected a Saturday morning in early June, and began recruiting youth members from his church, Immanuel Presbyterian, as volunteers to help with the moving effort.

On June 11th, all the equipment was moved from the SunAmerica location to YTF's temporary storage space in Los Angeles. For everyone that donated their time, including Mason, Eduardo and the youth volunteers, it was very gratifying to see all the equipment in a safe place. Eduardo, who sacrificed a big chunk of his day off to coordinate the move, had this to say: "If SunAmerica can make a difference in one individual for the better, then it is worth the effort." Mason echoed Eduardo's sentiments, adding, "It's exciting to know that one day these computers will help to bridge the digital divide among young future leaders in the developing world, beginning with YTF's work in Nigeria."

Stay tuned for updates as the computers will soon begin the next phase of their long, worthwhile journey from Los Angeles to the continent of Africa.

Youth for Technology Foundation thanks the following partners who made this possible: AIG SunAmerica, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Shurgard Storage, Eduardo Soto and Mason Funk.

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