AUBURN – Irving Isaacson handed out laptop computers to Lewiston-Auburn high school graduates Tuesday night. Then his partner announced the giveaway would continue for five years if schools could match a portion of the money.
Two weeks ago, 25 students each at Edward Little and Lewiston high schools were awarded new laptops. Isaacson said Tuesday he was “totally surprised” by the response to the laptop giveaway. The act of kindness created a stir.
“We figured if it’s that significant for kids going to school, we should try to do it again,” Isaacson said. “Hopefully, we can.”
It cost $30,000 this year to buy the 50 laptops, Isaacson said. The money came from the L&A Fund, a foundation he created to help worthy community projects.
Martin Eisenstein of the Brann and Isaacson law firm explained how the continuing laptop program would work. The L&A Fund will dedicate $15,000 a year for laptops to graduating Edward Little and Lewiston seniors to be drawn in a raffle. Seniors entering the raffle must be going to college and cannot already have a laptop. If the high schools are able to raise $5,000, Isaacson will match another $5,000 to each school. That, he said, should allow the purchase of 50 laptops, 25 for each school.
“We believe this has the ability to inspire achievement and aspirations,” Eisenstein said from Martindale golf course, where the laptops were handed out. “We felt it important this program be on a more continuing basis.”
Faith Farnum, 18, who just graduated from Lewiston High School, said she was “shocked” and “really happy” to get a laptop. “This is going to help me a lot in college,” she said. If not for the L&A Fund, Farnum said she would not be able to afford one. She’s planning to attend Central Maine Community College in the fall.
Toby Poirier, 17, another Lewiston graduate, gave Isaacson a rose before he took his Dell. “It’s the least I could do to show him it’s greatly appreciated. I’m overwhelmed,” Poirier said.
Other students gave Isaacson flowers, cards, notes of thanks and handshakes. As word spreads of the program, continuing the laptop giveaway will help other kids want to go to college, Poirier said.
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