Thomas Burch, 94, pretty much blows the stereotype of the computer illiterate senior citizen out of the water.
“He does everthing on the computer,” said Larry DuSavage, Burch’s son-in-law and president of Kitsap Computing Seniors.
As far as DuSavage knows, Burch of Bremerton is the oldest member of the group, which will mark its 20th anniversary Monday. The public is welcome to a celebration and potluck at 10 a.m. at the Silverdale Community Center, 9729 Silverdale Way NW.
Kitsap Computing Seniors, with nearly 240 members, has introduced hundreds of older adults to new technology. Even in this day and age, when laptops are as common as telephones, the need is still there, DuSavage said.
“You’d be surprised. We’re getting 70-, 80-year-olds whose grandchildren want to Skype, want to email, and they’ve never touched a computer in their life,”
The group offers more than 350 hours per year of free computer classes to members and nonmembers. The beginner’s class, held monthly at the community center, often has a waiting list and is the only class that requires membership. Annual dues are $20 per year.
Other classes — such as Microsoft Word and Excel, introduction to Facebook and more — are held at Mountain View Middle School and the Sylvan Way Library both in East Bremerton.
Volunteers are needed to help teach classes and refurbish donated computer equipment, which is given to community members in need. Microsoft Vista and Windows 7 or later preferred.
For information, call (360) 792-6972, email ladlad@comcast.net or visit www.ffogynews.org.

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