Petra Nemcova's Happy Hearts Fund Gives More Than 150 Computers to Andrew H. Wilson Charter School of New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Petra Nemcova, supermodel, philanthropist and founder of The Happy Hearts Fund ( www.happyheartsfund.org ) donated more than 150 computers and other educational technology equipment to The Andrew H. Wilson Charter Elementary School in the Broadmoor section of New Orleans.

Nemcova will present the donation in person to the school's students on Monday, June 23rd at the 8th annual National Charter Schools Conference at the New Orleans Convention Center. Several students from Andrew H. Wilson Charter Elementary School will be on hand to receive the much-needed computers and other equipment. The formal presentation will take place in Convention Center Room 207 at 9:15 a.m.

"While the Happy Hearts Fund has provided children and schools in disaster-stricken, underprivileged communities with computers around the globe, the Andrew H. Wilson Charter School is the first recipient in New Orleans, and in the U.S.," said Nemcova. "When I visited the school earlier this year, I was deeply moved by the commitment and dedication of the teachers and staff at the school, and the positive impact they were having on the lives of the students. It's evident that after disaster strikes, once the cameras disappear, so does much of the help. Each and every one of these students is a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, and we hope that by supporting them, not only will their lives and educational opportunities improve, but also those of future Wilson School students," she said.

"By supporting and fostering the growth of high-quality charter schools in New Orleans, we are working to improve public schools for all children, especially those whose communities were underserved even before Hurricane Katrina," said Nelson Smith, president of The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "It is wonderful to see the Happy Hearts Foundation invest in charter schools in New Orleans where so many children are in need even years after the storm."

The Andrew H. Wilson Charter School is completing its first year of operation. The school is a partnership between the Broadmoor Improvement Association and Edison Schools, the nation's largest public education management company.

Shelia Thomas, principal of the Wilson School said, "We are overwhelmed by the generosity of The Happy Hearts Fund to provide us with the technology tools that will greatly enhance our students' educational experience."

Since its inception HHF has raised more than $6.0 million and has established successful programs in Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Czech Republic and now Peru. Programs in India and Haiti are under way and expansion across the globe is continuing. HHF aims to advocate and provide for disadvantaged children who have had to endure hardship and who are not receiving the essential and sustainable help they need for healthy childhood development.

More than 3,000 participants are attending the National Charter Schools Conference June 22-25 in New Orleans, which will feature three general sessions with guest speakers including Governor Bobby Jindal, more than 150 break-out sessions and over 200 exhibitors. News media may attend the conference without charge, but must register. There is no registration required for media attending the Happy Hearts Fund donation event on June 23.

A survivor of the Tsunami in Thailand, Nemcova established the Happy Hearts Fund in 2005. HHF is a 501c3 charitable Foundation that was initially started to aid children affected by the Asian Tsunami that claimed almost 300,000 innocent lives. Today the mission of HHF is to improve children's lives through education, sustainability and technology.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools ( www.publiccharters.org ) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement.