Elant At Newburgh Residents Receive New Laptops

May 4, 2010 - PRLog -- Newburgh – Residents at Elant at Newburgh got a high-tech boost last week with the acquisition of two brand new Hewlett Packard laptop computers valued at roughly $1,000 each. The technology purchase was made on behalf of residents thanks to a combination of fundraising efforts by both the Elant at Newburgh Renewal Committee and Elant at Newburgh’s Employee Dress-Down Days.

The Renewal Committee is made up of community members who help acquire donations through a series of external fundraising efforts. Throughout the year, themed employee Dress-Down Days are scheduled whereby staff members make small donations to participate.  The funds raised through these Dress-Down days are used to purchase needed items for the residents.

“Our residents are very excited to have the opportunity to learn a new skill; several are already anxious to communicate with their grandchildren more frequently,” said Elant at Newburgh Executive Director Christine O’Toole. “We are grateful to both the Elant at Newburgh Renewal Committee and our staff members who helped bring about this generous gift.”

The computers, presented during a Resident Council meeting, will offer Elant at Newburgh residents the opportunity to access the Internet or other computer programs at their own convenience through a sign-out system. Each computer is SKYPE-enabled, which will allow residents the ability to make free video calls to friends and family. The computers will also be used as part of Elant at Newburgh’s Therapeutic Recreation program and rehabilitation efforts.

But that wasn’t the only gift presented to residents that day. The Polish Legion of American Veterans in Pine Island donated an American flag for display in the Elant at Newburgh dining room. It was presented during the Resident Council meeting to Edward Obie, an Army veteran and an Elant at Newburgh resident who had tears in his eyes during the ceremony. After the flag was presented, the group saluted the colors and said the Pledge of Allegiance.

“We are Americans so it is wonderful to have the flag hanging in a place that we can see everyday,” said Jessie Certo, an Elant at Newburgh resident.

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Elant, Inc., a community-based, not-for-profit organization, has been a part of the Hudson Valley healthcare landscape for the past 25 years. Its seven campuses, located across five counties, serve an estimated 3,500 people daily and provide sub-acute care and rehabilitation services, nursing home care, assisted living, adult day care, retirement community living, home health care, and a managed long-term care plan. Elant’s mission is to provide personalized, high-quality care and lifestyle options to persons of diverse generations, cultures, means, and needs.