Texcellence marks 4,500th donation

Fifth-grader Lance Anspach arrived June 7, at Riverview High School, not only to take home his first computer but also to learn his family was the 4,500th in Sarasota County to benefit from the Texcellence Computer Donation Program.

Launched in 2007 by grants from the Dart Foundation and ANS Foundation, the program was originally inspired by local teacher Ron Zimmerman, who refurbished gently used computers in his garage for students in need.

Today, families with children attending county public schools who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals can qualify for one of the recycled computers.

Lance, who won an essay contest at school this year, is excited to begin his final year at Alta Vista Elementary with a home computer.

“Now I’ll be able to win even more,” he said at the event.