Will you help Engadget energize education (and pwn the Blogger Challenge leaderboard)?

First off, we want to express both our gratitude for and amazement at the overwhelming reaction to our DonorsChoose.org charity drive so far; we're humbled that so many of you have chosen to give back to our public schools by providing crucial technology to children in some of the neediest of districts. Since the challenge began on the 9th, 45 of us (including several Engadget editors who put our money where our mouth is) have joined in to contribute over $6,000 towards nearly two dozen projects around the country, which together will fund supplies utilized by some 827 students.

That being said, our work here is far from done. Team Engadget Energizes Education is currently in fourth place on the technology leaderboard (down from a peak of second) and still needs over $20,000 to meet its goal. So even if you think that there are better causes to give to, or you're cynical about so-called "skimming" of administrative fees (incidentally, DonorsChoose does give you the option to waive any overhead and allocate 100% of your gift towards the project), we're still hoping that you'll donate just a few dollars if only because you like what you read here every day. Think of it as an optional subscription fee that goes to a worthy cause instead of even more redundant gadgets for us. We have until October 31st to raise as much money as possible, so if you can find it in your heart to help out the littlest less-fortunate this holiday season (Halloween), we'd really consider it a personal thanks and a mitzvah as well.

DONATE

[Furious Styles @ Oct 12th 2007 4:05PM]

C'mon people! We can do this! Forward this to your friends! Bet on the big game this weekend: losers have to donate (twice as much as the winners). And like Engadget said, there's no skimming at DonorsChoose.

[Gus @ Oct 18th 2007 1:53PM]

this is so sad... the voting for the OS war easily saw 30K+ people... IF only 20% of them donated $5 each (that's what, a latte?) we would've hit that mark way early

i'm losing hope in humanity

[Chris @ Oct 12th 2007 4:14PM]

I just gave some money...not much but some. Just as capitalism is what makes America great, it brings with it the responsibility to give back to the people who have the least. If everyone helps each other, then we all win. Give $5, $10, $100, or whatever if you can afford it. These kids will be that much better off.

[macona @ Oct 12th 2007 4:28PM]

Technology is NOT NEEDED to learn. Math and English scores were higher before the advent of computers in the class room.

Computers, in general, are a waste of money in schools. They are a money sponge. From repairs, to upgrades, to software they absorb more money than the benefits they provide.

[Evan Blass @ Oct 12th 2007 4:38PM]

Don't you think that being familiar with computers and other technology (these projects provide for a wide range of hardware and software beyond just PCs) is a critical skill in today's world? How are underprivileged kids without access to these tools at home supposed to achieve that familiarity?

[macona @ Oct 12th 2007 5:14PM]

Computer Labs, Libraries, etc. School should have computers, but does not need one for every child like many want.

Schools are terrible when it comes to maintenance of computers. They will throw a machine away for something as simple as a bad BIOS battery.

Not everything must be learned in a school setting. You can learn at home. A decent complete computer (PIII or P4) can be had at goodwill for as little as $50. Newer machines for as little as $300. At this point there is no reason for any home not to have a computer. Old machines are cheap and plentiful if you look some even for free. DSL is available for as low as $15 a month.

Its a matter of your spending priorities. Maybe lay off those six-packs of beer, maybe dont go for the whole digital cable package, maybe quit smoking. Dont buy a Wii, PS3 or a XBox. Do these little things and you can easily afford a computer.

[BlissX @ Oct 13th 2007 9:32AM]

I can understand what you're arguing about, but you're overgeneralizing the situation. The schools that take place in this program are largely considered High-Poverty. You come here talking about how easy it is to get a PC, mere $50, or new @ $300. Let me ask you, are you a parent? Do you work minimum wage? Do you even understand how grand life is, how every individual life is something entirely different than what you go through.

It's so easy for someone to sit back and point out the flaws or how "easy" something is, but why don't you actually DO something about it then? Since you apparently know so much and have access to resources @ Goodwill. What's that I hear? Apathy.

Let alone, each proposal are submitted by INDIVIDUAL teachers with different needs. One of my donation choice was, "Going Places in Science with GPS". Imagine an elementary child who gets to not only learn a bit of science, a bit of geography, a bit of technology, but also a bit of modern technology. Hey, it's a definite stretch, but imagine 20 years from now, the kid that benefitted from my donation learned how to operate a "modern GPS", therefore learns to use an in-car navigation from a vehicle in the future. And lets say the navigation unit told him/her theres impending traffic upahead, so it detours him/her. Imagine if he/she didn't have navigation and got in an accident with your son/daughter on the highway as traffic comes to screeching halt. TOTAL STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION. What I am saying is, YOU don't know the impact of eachand every individual, of how great or small the outcome can be.

So I donated, but that's all I could do. I didn't know there's $50 PC's to be had at Goodwill. That's great IMO, but they surely aren't being used efficiently according to your standards. Why don't you take your time to do something about it. I did something, it validates my belief. You haven't done nothing.

If you apparently understand the system so well, about what works and what doesn't, then do something about it. Like they say, put up or shut up. You look nothing but an arrogant smartass who belittles the complexities of "simple" solutions to life. Think everything is so simple to implement in an entire district, city, state, country? Think again. If it were, we'd live in an utopia.


And if you DO/DID something for the cause in another fashion, then thank you.

[Not a very nice person @ Oct 12th 2007 4:42PM]

"Overwhelming Reaction". 36 people donated.

[Not a very nice person - but now with a conscience @ Oct 12th 2007 6:18PM]

36 still being a number that's better than 0.

[Not a very nice person @ Oct 12th 2007 4:44PM]

Why give people the tools to better themselves anyway? That just means my kids will have a harder time competing for that job they want! Survival of the fittest I'm afraid!

[Josh Warner @ Oct 13th 2007 1:04PM]

PLEASE say that was a joke.

[Bob @ Oct 12th 2007 4:58PM]

Considering that probably over 10,000 unique visitors come to Engadget per day, it's pretty pathetic if you look at the number of people that have donated.

People are so quick to jump over all the free giveaways, but when it comes to giving back to the less fortunate, I don't see anyone jumping at the chance. Sad world we live in where we can afford thousands of dollars in gadgets but cannot afford to donate $5. That's maybe 10 minutes of work for most people.

[Chicksta @ Oct 18th 2007 1:57PM]

I don't think you should look at it as representative of the world as a whole, but of the world of the Engadget audience. These are people who don't respect others (even if it's just in comments, those are real people), and they constantly brag about stealing music, movies, etc. because they're 'against' the music labels more than they are -for- the artists/creators. Oddly enough, they don't stop buying cars, game consoles, or any other product made by a 'greedy' large corporation, nor will they take the money that they save by stealing and put it to any use other than more stuff for themselves.
Anyone who wants to prove me wrong, you know where to put your money.

[Jamus @ Oct 12th 2007 5:08PM]

I have looked at DonorsChoose before for some other events. I like the idea, but I have the one big cynical nag holding me back...

Whenever I have donated in a non-anonymous way to charities, I always get a "call back" of some type. I gave to the humane society and a few months later get a call asking for more. I gave to the United Way and at Christmas got a letter asking for more. I donated to our local children's home and get phone calls every few months.

I like to give. I just don't like getting asked for repeat business.

That grinchy bit out of the way, does anyone know if you can donate anonymously?

[BlissX @ Oct 13th 2007 9:01AM]

Yes you can donately anonymously.

[producerism @ Oct 12th 2007 7:48PM]

i would.. but i made an oath to never ever give money to anyone that ever used the word "pwn." ever.

[jeff Lorber @ Oct 12th 2007 9:33PM]

I was hoping this was about encouraging everyone to sign up for Organ Donation. Please do that everybody, from a grateful transplanted organ recipient. best, JL

[Mehdi Cheddadi @ Oct 18th 2007 1:59PM]

Money is a waste of time. all poor people should get together and start farms to have food. The government should give land, not money. if there is winter then they should have free transportation to lands where there is no winters. Basic needs first.

You guys want money for science? ha! AS IF! I give money only to people that are going to die, then I tell them to go in farms to grow food. Worked for centuries, why would it stop now? If you don't have the luxury to be educated then don't, move to farms.

[aielcaracarn @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:48PM]

Teaching Talented Teens Through Technology
This is a very worthy project at Donors Choose. Click on the link below to give:

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=114947&challengeid=17036&zone=0