QUOTE(Sentinel)
Central Florida -- U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, who represents the 5th Congressional District, which includes portions of Polk and Lake counties, donated seven computers to the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital's new Internet Cafe for injured service members and other patients last week in Tampa.
The cafe, which opened in November, is modeled after a commercial coffee shop and offers flavored coffees and other treats at no cost to patients or families. The donated computers, which had been used by the district office, allow patients and families to use e-mail and other services. The cafe also includes computer games and a big-screen TV. Recreational therapists also offer events there for veterans.
The idea for the cafe began about two years ago, officials said, when a U.S. Marine who was severely wounded in Iraq recuperated at the Tampa VA hospital. His mental outlook and rehabilitation improved dramatically as a result of having access to a computer, they said.
Mark Pino, Elaine Aradillas and Kelly Griffith of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
The cafe, which opened in November, is modeled after a commercial coffee shop and offers flavored coffees and other treats at no cost to patients or families. The donated computers, which had been used by the district office, allow patients and families to use e-mail and other services. The cafe also includes computer games and a big-screen TV. Recreational therapists also offer events there for veterans.
The idea for the cafe began about two years ago, officials said, when a U.S. Marine who was severely wounded in Iraq recuperated at the Tampa VA hospital. His mental outlook and rehabilitation improved dramatically as a result of having access to a computer, they said.
Mark Pino, Elaine Aradillas and Kelly Griffith of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report.