Are you ready to rock?

Are you ready to rock? Turning Points Youth Center is hosting a Rock-A-Thon on August 29^th, 2009 and we need your help. My daughter Emma and I have agreed to raise pledges for this event to ensure that the organization can remain operational during the upcoming school year. Our goal is to raise $1000.00.

For those of you not familiar with Turning Points, their mission is to assist youth parents & their children reach their fullest potential as graduates, parents and citizens by providing programs & services that enable them to successfully complete their education & develop effective parenting skills.

Most young mothers drop out of school before the birth of their baby and many of those mothers do not complete high school. The impact of dropping out will extend into the next generation. Abandoning high school today creates a greater risk of perpetuating a cycle of poverty in the future for their children.

Did you know?

• In a youth pregnancy, two generations are at risk! Most young parents drop out of school before the birth of their baby.
• Approximately every three days a young mother age 19 or younger gives birth in a Greater Moncton area hospital.
• Turning Points has helped over 292 young mothers obtain an education and become self-sufficient. This amounts to an approx. savings of $48,472,000.00 to the taxpayers of New Brunswick.

Our Request:

Emma and I need your help so dig deep and pledge whatever you can by Friday, August 28th, 2009. We appreciate any amount no matter how big or small.

To contribute or help, please choose one of the following:

• Go to our online pledge sheet: CLICK HERE

• Send me an email with your contact info at tmacausland@gmail.com

• Call me at (506) 863-8096

• Share this information with your network of contacts

Your support can make a world of difference for individuals who want to succeed! You can make a difference in the lives of young mothers and children across New Brunswick by making a contribution today.

Kind regards,

Trevor MacAusland
Geeks on Ice

Tel: 506.852.8096
www.GeeksonIce.com
Tmacausland@gmail.com

http://twitter.com/GeeksonIce
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tmacausland

“Leadership is the ability to do, not the ability to state” ~Paul Von Ringelheim

GEEKS ARRIVE AT A TURNING POINT

April 8, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GEEKS ARRIVE AT A TURNING POINT

Moncton, NB – Geeks on Ice United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB have done it again! This year’s charitable hockey tournament took place this past weekend at the J-Louis Levesque arena. The event rose over $1100.00 for Turning Points Youth Center. Funds will be used to help overcome digital barriers for the agency whose goal it is to help youth parents finish high school and give them the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education.

When asked what Geeks on Ice meant to Turning Points Youth Center, board member Claudette Leger said: “It represents a new beginning for Turning Points. Our agency relies heavily on technology to ensure that young mothers can finish assignments on time, conduct research over the internet and in some cases use eLearning as a means to complete their GED. Access to technology is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity”.

According to Human Resources and Social Development NB, the financial return on investment to taxpayers for supporting a teen parent in becoming self-reliant through education can be upwards to $141,000.00.

This statistic is not lost on Geeks on Ice founder, Trevor MacAusland.

“Turning Points Youth Center mandate aligns perfectly with our goal to eradicate the digital divide. Youth parents face incredible challenges, technology or lack thereof should not be one of them” said MacAusland. “It is no coincidence that Moncton was named this year as one of the ICF’s Top 7 Intelligent Communities. We are a model for others to follow on the way we embrace technology. Moncton has demonstrated over the years that when given access to proper infrastructure the region is competitive throughout the world in the broadband economy. We are fortunate to be living in such a progressive and compassionate community”.

This year’s event was low key compared to previous years due to logistical challenges, however; organizers maintain that Geeks on Ice is still on track with its 5-year goal to host teams from across the world. Even in our current economic climate, Geeks on Ice hosted players from as far as Toronto. Companies who participated were T4G Limited, Service Canada, Moncton Flight College, GTECH, Oracle, Aliant and Gogii Games.

On Sunday afternoon, fans witnessed Gogii Games successfully defend the Whitehill Cup, while Oracle walked away with the RisingStars.ca Most Generous Geeks Award for raising the most pledges.

Geeks on Ice organizers say that they will begin working on the 2010 edition of the tournament over the summer and continue to help those without regular affective access to digital technology overcome the divide. Meanwhile, Turning Points will be launching their $2 for 2 Generations campaign this spring.

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Media Contact:

Geeks on Ice: Trevor MacAusland 863-8096

United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB: Micha Fardy 858-8600

Great Geeks Raffle Winners Announced

Winners of the Turning Points Youth Center/United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB Geeks on Ice raffle draw are:

1. 2 hrs at the Molson Hospitality Suite: Diane MacDonald


2. iPod Touch: Aaron Harquail


3. iPod Nano: Jim Lafferty


4. iPod Suffle: David Hackett

The raffle helped Geeks on Ice raise $1138.00 for Turning Points Youth Center. Thank you to all of those who bought tickets.

The Great Geek Raffle

You could win an iPod Touch!

Two Grand Prizes:

1. Ipod Touch
2. 2hrs @ the Molson Hospitality Suite

Cost: 1 for $2 / 3 for $5 (Open to the public)


Proceeds are going towards building a computer lab for Turning Points Youth Center


Draw: April 5th before the Championship Game @ 3:00 pm


To purchase tickets:

• Call (506) 858-8600
• Ask your Team Captain
• Talk to a United Way representative at the Geeks on Ice tournament.
  
  
  
  

Geeks are Reaching a Turning Point

Since 2003, Geeks on Ice have been helping those who are impacted by the Digital Divide. The Digital Divide refers to the gap between those with regular, effective access to digital and information technology, and those without this access. Everyone knows that we live in very connected world. Given the current state of the global economy combined with the shift in consumer patterns of the emerging X and Y generations, non-profits are struggling to find new means to offer services and raise funding.

While many for-profit companies have become reliant on technological innovations to connect with online communities and empower employees, the non-profit sector faces an uphill climb. In recent years we have made it our mission to transform non-profit agencies like BUILT Network, Ability Transit, Support for Single Parents and the Riverview Boys and Girls Club into digital havens.

We are pleased to announce that 2009 is no exception! Geeks on Ice have selected Turning Points Youth Parent Center (http://www.scribd.com/doc/13711493/Turning-Points-Youth-Center) as this year’s recipient. Turning Points is an exceptional organization that provides support to teen parents in obtaining their high school diploma. It is said that in a teenage pregnancy, two generations are at risk; through the support of Turning Points teenage parents can ensure a bright future for themselves and their child.

Geeks on Ice are raising money to help build a computer lab so that teenage parents have access to the equipment they need to complete assignments and receive tutoring. Your organization can make a significant difference in the lives of of neighbours and invest in our community’s future by doing any of the following:

· Raise pledges using our pledge sheet: (http://www.scribd.com/doc/13714542/Geeks-on-Ice-2009-Pledge-Sheet)
· Buy raffle tickets at the Geeks on Ice tournament from April 2-5th
· Donate computer equipment to help build a computer lab
· Volunteer your time and expertise
· Contact Micha Fardy at 506.858.8600 for all other inquiries

Finally, If your team is playing in the Geeks on Ice tournament, then you are eligible for the Rising Stars Most Generous Geeks award going to the team/organization that raises the most amount of money during the tournament. Service Canada has won the award every year since it was introduced back in 2005.

For more information on the tournament and the fundraiser, or to volunteer go to http://www.geeksonice.com/ or email geeksonice@gmail.com.

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Media Contact:
Geeks on Ice: Trevor MacAusland 872-2348

United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB: Micha Fardy 858-8600

Geeks on Ice Countdown Begins...

• So it's almost April and to my delight, people I run into on the streets of Moncton keep asking where the Geeks are?
• Before I can answer that question, I must recap on our 2008 tournament which was another huge success. Geeks on ice raised thousands of dollars that benifitted the BUILT Network and Ability Transit. A special thanks Mike Morey's crew from Southampton Computers (http://www.shmcomputers.com/) who setup the BUILT computer lab. I also want to add many thanks and applause to our volunteers and participants who each year make a significant contribution to our goal in eliminating the digital divide!
  
  We are pleased to announce that the 2009 edition of Geeks on Ice (http://www.geeksonice.com/) is taking place from April 2nd-5th at the Universite de Moncton arena in Moncton, NB.

Geeks are taking a different approach to the tournament this year and have scaled down the event due to scheduling conflicts. Gone for this year are the major tournament sponsorships, player bags, Geek pucks and inflatable bouncing dragons (see family zone in 2008..), instead we have turned to our roots of an eight team ice hockey tournament while enabling networking among peers and promoting the negative impact the digital divide has in our community!

Because of scheduling conflicts with the Ford World Curling Championships, the Moncton Wildcats playoff and volunteer schedules we were afraid we would have to postpone the 2009 edition of Geeks on Ice. However, like knights in shining armour the Dieppe Commandos who will be hosting the Fred Page Cup in April offered Geeks an opportunity to hit the ice in 2009.

Being eternal optimists, we decided to plan a tournament in 4-weeks rather than our tradition 8-month time frame. Geeks are not afraid of a challenge!

While the compressed planning schedule has offered some sleepless nights thus far, we are happy to announce the eight teams that will hit the ice in less than 12 days. These teams are traveling from as far away as Toronto, Ont to Moncton:

Aliant

T4G

Gogii Games

Bud Light Aces

Service Canada

Moncton Flight College

Oracle

GTech

Our committee is ironing out the final details of the event so stay tuned for more exciting news from Geeks on Ice... In the meantime.. Keep your stick on the ice!

Cheers,

Trevor MacAusland

Geeks on Ice Founder

P.S. We need volunteers to run the game clock or prizes for game MVP's so if you'd like to promote your company or donate some time, call me at (506) 863-8096

Geeks set to Lace Up

March 5, 2009

Moncton, NB – Registration is now open for the 6th annual Geeks on Ice hockey tournament. Since 2003, individuals and organizations who share a passion for technology, community and hockey participate in this charitable family oriented event which helps fund investments in hardware and software upgrades for non-profit agencies across southeastern New Brunswick.

The tournament committee has set a deadline of March 16th, 2009 for registration. Only 8 teams will be allowed to play in the event, so register early! Organizations that are interested in participating can do so by visiting www.GeeksonIce.com or reaching the organizers at geeksonice@gmail.com.

Geeks on Ice will run from April 2nd-5th at the Arena Jean-Louis Levesque (Universite de Moncton). Registration runs at $700.00 per team and guarantees 3 games with the potential to advance to the championship game where two teams will compete for the Whitehill Cup.

For more information on the tournament or the charitable campaign, contact geeksonice@gmail.com or go to www.GeeksOnIce.com.