History Museum Wins Phone-A-Saurus Contest

In an apt turn of events, a history museum has won a Phone-A-Saurus video contest for having the most outdated phone system.

The History Museum of Hood River County garnered the most public votes to win the  Grand Prize in the contest sponsored by Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Telecommunication Systems Division.  The museum will receive a complete Toshiba business telephone system, including installation, a value of $2,500.

The Toshiba Phone-A-Saurus promotion challenged organizations to submit a video on Facebook demonstrating why they need a new business telephone system. The Toshiba judging committee selected the top three finalists, after which the public was given the opportunity to watch and vote for their favorite video.

The winning video submission addressed the need for a new phone system using vintage phones and costumes that date back to the turn of the century.

Located in Hood River, Ore., The History Museum began collecting artifacts in 1907 to preserve the diverse cultural heritage of the community. The museum, staffed mainly by a team of volunteers, is currently undergoing major renovations. It was referred by Authorized Toshiba Dealer NW Communications Systems Inc.

Taking second place and receiving a 32-inch Toshiba LCD flat-screen TV (valued at $450) is South County Outreach (SCO), a non-profit organization based in Lake Forest, Calif., that helps families in crisis with food, rental and utility assistance, homeless prevention counseling, housing, computer training, clothing and other seasonal programs. SCO is based in Lake Forest, Calif.  SCOs video submission demonstrated the need for a new phone system to communicate with its army of volunteers. (Kathy Wilbur, vice president of IT for Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., and Melinda White, vice president of Finance & Accounting of Toshibas Digital Products Group, both sit on the board of SCO but were not involved in the judging process.)

Crossroads Hospice, Kansas City, Mo., won third place and a Toshiba Thrive tablet (valued at $399). Crossroads provides services and support to patients and families needing end-of-life care. Crossroads’ video submission included an original song and rapping grannie. Crossroads was referred by Authorized Toshiba Dealer Commworld of Kansas City.