Teacher looks to raise money for 40 computers

Cameron White doesn't look at himself as just another teacher trying to raise money for his school. He sees an opportunity for a revolution, and he's taking it.

White has been teaching for 13 years, and currently gives computer instruction in a lab at Los Cerritos Middle School where the equipment is more than seven years old. After deciding his kids deserved a stateof-the-art lab, he inspired a schoolwide fever focused on raising money for new computer equipment.

"The energy is really amazing," said Principal Eleanor Love. "At a time when we could all be mulling about, with it being the end of the school year and with all the talk of budget cuts, this has really gotten our campus excited. If I would have known this would be the shot in the arm that it's been, I would have done this a long time ago."

The goal is 40 new computers, a video technology production area with video equipment and lights, digital video cameras and more. White is officially asking for $70,000, although he says he's going to raise $1 million.

He's organized contests for classes to race to raise $1,000. For every class that makes it, the kids get to pick three items from the grocery store, which White will blend and drink. And on the less dangerous side, he's met with groups of school leaders, organized rummage sales and written tons of grant applications.

"Part of this is not just raising money, but connecting to the community," White said. "I'm trying to energize as many people as I can who really want to help, and want to reach out. I don't want their money. I want their heart. Once you get that, the money will follow."

Tomorrow, kids will walk from Los Cerritos to Waverly Park to pick up trash. Like a jog-athon, the students have received either a flat rate donation or pledges for each piece of trash collected.

"Regardless of what we raise, we are doing it," White said. "We want people to know we are about the community. People are going to start saying, 'There's something happening over there at Los Cerritos.' You'd be amazed at the energy."

This week, as part of the entrepreneurial-based curriculum, Los Cerritos students created their own businesses and are selling their products. For example, one group had hot sauce donated, and they are designing a Los Cerritos label. The proceeds will go to the computer drive fund.

White has big dreams for his kids once the new lab is ready. He wants to teach them how to make websites for local businesses and how to use the video tech lab to produce school announcements and lessons on some of the academic curriculum.

"And once we bring the initial group of (computers) in, the goal is to never have old technology," White said. "It then becomes easier to keep replacing the computers, maybe five a year."

As the money starts to come in, the teacher said, he is even more pleased by the energy being created on campus.

"Many times what middle schoolers- let alone adults- fail to see is that when you help someone, it's not always just them you are helping. You're helping yourself," White said. "Once you just get these kids started, they come up with tremendous ideas."