LOCAL

FirstEnergy Corp. donates a dozen laptops to residential school for at-risk girls

Carley Bonk
Chambersburg Public Opinion

FirstEnergy Corp. donated a dozen gently used laptops to Monarch's way, a private Christian residential school for at-risk girls set to open in January.

The laptops became available as FirstEnergy utilities periodically upgraded its computer equipment. The systems, totaling $5,000, have been cleared of all company information and upgraded to Windows 10 operating systems, according to Todd Meyers, a representative of West Penn.

The school is housed in the Wishard Mansion, north of Greencastle in the Kauffman area in Antrim Township. 

Each student will have access to a laptop in the classrooms and during study times.  Monarch’s Way staff will also use the laptops to assist in carrying out administrative tasks and duties.

Nikki Martin, activities director for Monarch’s Way and Carissa Martin, director of Monarch’s Way, accept donated laptops from Jim Crowder, external affairs consultant for FirstEnergy/West Penn Power.

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FirstEnergy Corp. is the parent company of West Penn Power, which serves about 60,000 customers in Franklin County and about 6,300 customers in neighboring Fulton County.

FirstEnergy consulted local officials in both counties to identify organizations that could benefit from the donated laptops.

Two organizations in Fulton County also received laptop donations. 

Employment and Training Services of Fulton County in McConnellsburg were given six laptops, a total value of about $2,500. The center offers adult education classes, out-of-school youth pre-employment classes and high school career development classes, as well as career resources. 

Fulton County Family Partnership obtained two laptops with a total value of about $1,000. The partnership provides child development and parent enrichment activities, drug and alcohol prevention education, school success services, child care services, a reduced cost dental clinic and medical and employment transportation for residents in Fulton County.

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