It's tough not to get
all gooey and sugary over acts of kindness and
generosity, particularly when the perpetrators are a
Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy, a Tampa Police
Department master cop and a computer expert retired from
the military.
Tough guys all, these are not your stereotypical
philanthropists.
Yet the tiny band of angels, two of whom usually pack a
gun, gathered the other day like a SWAT team on a dirt
driveway in front of a modest home in Antioch, a tiny
east Hillsborough community.
They were there to deliver the possibility of a bright
educational future - a computer - to some
"throw-away" kids.
Deputy Steve McDermott explained the visit, which he
hopes will be repeated many times.
Law enforcement officers, he says, see kids on the
streets every day who don't stand a chance of success in
an information- and technology-driven society because
they don't have regular access to a computer.
No Strangers To Generosity
The goal of the group is to hook up some of those kids -
who might otherwise hook up to nothing but trouble - to
a huge world of possibilities via the Internet.
And be able to do it fast, sans government dollars or
red tape.
McDermott also helped provide a computer and an
"always on" Internet service for a Port Tampa
quadriplegic.
Richard Roetter of Alim Computers in Brandon is the
technical genius who donates time, computers and
software.
Tampa police Officer Brent L. Meyers, a former wrestler
who looks as if he could still take down the likes of
Hulk Hogan, is an enthusiastic newcomer to the group.
Big Dreams Start Small
That day's mission, to Annie and Bethel Goddard's house
where more than 750 children have been fostered in 30
years, was arranged by another generous deputy, Carl
Luis.
The Goddards have just one foster child now but they
will surely get more because they specialize in children
with emotional problems.
The child now under their care is a high school student
who wanted a computer so much she entered an essay
contest at school to win one.
She took first place and the computer, which is her most
prized and valued possession. It will go with her when
she leaves the Goddards.
Through her, the Goddards came to realize how important
a computer can be to a troubled teen and are thrilled to
have the additional computer donated by McDermott and
Roetter for future foster kids.
That's exactly what McDermott, Roetter and Meyers want
to hear.
That spurs on their efforts, burnishes their dreams of
doing something for the community they serve besides
arresting people.
They are planning to incorporate as a charity and will
ask Hillsborough and Tampa public safety professionals -
firefighters, paramedics, deputies, police - to get
involved.
The group also needs donations of computer equipment and
money and the services of an attorney, an accountant and
other computer professionals who can help.
The two cops fit their volunteer work in on days off.
Roetter constructs computers for donation in between
paying customers.
They can't do it all, and they know they can't solve the
world's problems.
But they're doing something.
Want to help?
Section: BAYLIFE Page: 1
Judy
Hill can be reached at
(813) 259-7812
or by writing her c/o
The Tampa Tribune
P.O. Box 191
Tampa FL 33601
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