Another first for the Internet as One School prepares to host the first 'Netathon' to be broadcast live on April 24th, 1999 at 12:00 pm EST/@750 Internet Time. The One School project (www.oneschool.org), sponsored by RealNetworks, Netscape Communications, and netMage America, uses the Internet to raise money to provide computer systems and connections to the Internet for small schools worldwide. The One School web site will carry special 'countdown' coverage beginning today until the event begins on the 24th.
The One School tagline - 'spreading the digital revolution One School at a time' - reflects the projects nontraditional approach to fund raising.
"The One School staff selects a school to 'adopt' and then raises the funds and puts the resources in place to install new computers and get them online", said Quinn Perkins of netMage America. "We make sure that they have all of the hardware and software necessary to give their students access to the most important new technology for learning - the Internet."
The first school participating in the One School project will be Pine Peace School in the US Virgin Islands. Local sponsors VI Access and radio station WIVI 96 Rock will be working with RealNetworks to broadcast a live, four hour event which will feature local reggae, West Indian and rock bands. The event will be broadcast live over the Internet in audio and video from the One School web page. The event will also feature special guests and the reading of donation pledges as they occur.
Visitors to One School's 'Netathon' pages will be able to support the project in many ways. Cash donations can be made by credit card through a secure online connection. Businesses can support the project by donating excess inventory which will be auctioned online with the proceeds going to Pine Peace School. Visitors to the site can even make purchases at popular online retailers such as Amazon.com and Cyberian Outpost and 5% of these sales will be donated to the One School project.