Telethon for Technology raises funds for schools

The seventh annual Telethon for Technology took place Nov. 14 at the University Plaza Trade Center, broadcast on TCI Channel 36 and KY3.

"Think Technology" was the theme of this year's event, which included a technology career fair with more than 40 booths displaying hands-on technology for students of all ages, according to a release from the Springfield Public Schools Foundation.

Other features included the Baby Grand Race Car with the Baby Grand simulator, McStore, sponsored by McDonald's, offering merchandise and food at "allowance prices," and, for the first time, demonstrations by the St. Louis Science Center.

Student performances, prizes and drawings for students, and presentations of funds raised by each school were among the highlights of the telethon.

Sponsored by NationsBank, TCI of Springfield Inc. and the Springfield Public Schools Foundation, the Telethon for Technology has raised approximately $1.26 million in the last six years. Twenty-five percent of cash raised through the telethon goes to endow a permanent fund for technology.

Funds raised by the telethon are distributed to schools through the Springfield Public Schools Foundation's grant application process.

Funds raised by individual schools stay in those schools.