Document text
31 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 11, 2005 James Eskew�s $12,000 donation will provide a new computer room for Griffin Creek Elementary School. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Hometown Hero Investing in kids’ futures A Medford man donates thousands from his own pocket to fund a school’s new computer room By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Griffin Creek Elementary School will have a new computer room — and the computers to put in it — thanks to the donation from a 90-year-old retired dental technician. Having read about the school’s needs in the newspaper, James Eskew decided to drive over to see what he could do to help. And he took his checkbook with him. Advertisement Eskew checked out the school, spoke to administrators, then wrote a $12,000 check on the spot to buy the computers, said Principal Ginny Hicks. "We were very surprised and pleased," said Hicks. "We were thrilled." Hicks said Eskew drove his Lincoln Towne car over to the school for his impromptu visit. He seemed to enjoy his interaction with the students and teachers, she said. "He said it was great to see people without walkers," said Hicks. After checking with caregivers at Eskew’s assisted living facility in northeast Medford, Hicks and District Superintendent Kathy McCollum took their Good Samaritan out for lunch to discuss his donation. "He likes to go to lunch," said Hicks. "The Red Lobster and Olive Garden are his favorites." Hicks said the new computers will come in handy during mandatory state testing. Students in grades three through six must take lengthy tests on the computer, which can tie them up from general use. With the new computers, teachers will be able to continue general instruction while testing is taking place. The longtime Medford resident said he’s happy to be of service to the kids — and also to honor the memory of his wife, Rose, who died in November. "We were married for 62 years," he said. McCollum and Hicks are presenting Eskew with a citizen appreciation award. Eskew said the award will be nice, but what he really wants is to see is the computer room up and running — and soon. He’s not getting any younger, and he’s still waiting to take his first computer lesson, he said. "(Ginny Hicks) promised me I could be a student with the kids for the first lesson she gave," said Eskew. McCollum said Eskew’s surprise donation was yet another example of community generosity. "It never ceases to amaze me how generous our community members are. On a weekly basis, we have people coming to the district office or contacting the schools and giving donations to students," said McCollum. "And they are appreciated." Eskew said he’s happy to have done his part to help the local educational system. But his checkbook is closed for the time being. When asked whether he was planning on making any other charitable donations, Eskew replied with a smile, "Not right now. I’m going to wait until I’m ready to die." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Fasa Advertisement s