Programming with a purpose

By DEVIN WEEKS

Staff Writer

COEUR d’ALENE — A lasting feeling of awesomeness followed Marcus Thomas after he gifted more than a dozen refurbished computers to the Union Gospel Mission Center for Women and Children.

"Definitely," Thomas said last week. "I'm still feeling that."

The Lake City High School senior spent more than 170 hours working on the computers, which were in a discard pile he noticed while attending classes at the Kootenai Technical Education Campus.

Knowing he had to complete a major project to earn his Eagle Scout status, Thomas' computer science instincts told him this was a golden opportunity to do something that would have a lasting positive impact.

"I did it out of pure motivation that I could help people," said Thomas, 18, of Coeur d'Alene. "I've always liked helping people. I go out of my way to help people; I’ve always been like that."

The 14 computers that are now fully functional will be given to UGM graduates after they complete rehabilitation programs at the center and prepare to rebuild their lives. The machines will assist with job searches, drafting resumes, word processing, education and other computer-based needs.

KTEC director Colby Mattila said the computers were part of a surplus that students use in training, so KTEC was pleased to donate them to a student who would in turn help others.

"We feel that if there’s something we can do to help the community, we’re more than happy to do it," Mattila said. "We’re always proud of our students when they can take what they've learned here and can help people get back on their feet."

For UGM CWC vocational director Marsha Reese, the gift represents much more than some new computers.

"It gives these ladies a chance to get out there and get that job or find that resource they couldn't do as well without something like technology," Reese said.

She said one computer has already gone home with a graduate who was incredibly grateful. She had just lost her job and is in the process of looking for a new one.

"You could see the delight in her face," Reese said. "It's not just the computer. For her, it was the knowledge of that love and support from people who don't even know her who want to help. That help leads to the hope."

Thomas, who plans to attend technology school at the United States Air Force Academy, said even if he didn't meet his Eagle Scout deadline, he would have finished the project to make sure these computers were ready to go.

"I would love to do this more," he said. "It's just a matter of getting my hands on these things without spending money I don’t have."

Reese said Thomas deserves "a lot of honor" for dedicating his time and Eagle Scout project to bettering the lives of these graduates.

"Most of our ladies that come here don't have anybody in their court," Reese said. "We can't do what we do here at UGM without the tremendous community support. We express our thanks."