Karrie Ann, the lead advocate for the
Haitian Children’s Relief Project, was born in Quincy, Mass
and grew up in Hanson, Mass, a neighborhood where the minority
population is less than 1%. She began her crusade of helping
poor children while in college. In 1993, she traveled to
Nigeria in an attempt to adopt a child born with physical
defects that needed surgical intervention that is possible
only in the US. In search of aide for the Nigerian children,
she met Jacques who become impressed by her great heart and
her passion to help the poor.
In the beginning, Karrie Ann’s project
suffered due to a lack of resources, however, she continued to
contact friends to obtain used clothing and school materials
for Haiti. Jacques and Karrie Ann married in 1994 and she gave
birth to two children. Between
school, work and caring for her children, Karrie Ann’s
charity stalled for nearly 5 years.
The couple moved to Boston and in 1999
they created Town Computer, a technology solutions provider
focused on providing computer services to local business
owners. The company grew rapidly and was placed among the top
10 Computer Service Providers in the Boston’s Business
Journal in 2002, 2003 and again in 2004. Town Computer is
currently providing computer and dial-up Internet service to
85,000 residences nation-wide.
Karrie Ann and Jacques created Town
Computer’s Community Partnership Program in 2003, a program
that provides computer services to local community
organizations free of charge or at a reduced price.
The Community Partnership Program also helps with
community services including homework help, mentoring,
computer literacy and community radio programs. Town Computer
also gives small grants and free computer equipment to local
organizations.
With the rising violence in Haiti since
the US-backed rebel uprising that forced the popular elected
President Aristide to leave Haiti in February 2004, the social
conditions of Haiti are deteriorating. The U.S. has closed the
Embassy and brought its personnel home, the Peace Corps was
forced to leave Haiti and many other organizations that used
to provide humanitarian aide in Haiti are closing their doors
to escape from violence.
Now, more than ever, there is more need in Haiti.
Town Computer expects to raise more money
this year, considering that its sales have increased by 12%,
and Town Computer is now beginning an expansion of its market
base to make their state-of-the-art services and quality
products available to a larger market base.
Town Computer benefits from a broad range
of customers and its free pick-up and delivery and mail-in
service give the company a strategic advantage over its
competitors. Small business owners, busy professionals, elders
and people with disabilities take advantage of their
affordable and convenient services. Each time you do business
with Town Computer this summer, you are contributing to put
food on the table of another starving child.
On behalf of the Haitian children,
bigboston.com endorses Town Computer’s Campaign for Haiti
and is inviting you to do business with Town Computer. They
offer a variety of computer-related services and their dial-up Internet
service is now available nationwide. You can make a donation to
the campaign by clicking here
or by mail at Town Computer, 26 Regis Road, Boston, MA 02126.
