Grandmom refurbishes computers for students

I've been retired now for about twelve years. And ever since I've been retired I've wanted to do something. I'm not a lay home watch soap opera kind of girl. I ran into a place called non-profit technology resources down near Spring Garden and Stan introduced me to recycling. And what I do is the donations that have come into the YWCA where I started and Malt Computer Volunteer Group, with the donations that come in, they were just sitting around. So I decided to tinker with and fix them.

As of the past four years we're a Microsoft authorized refurbisher. We're licensed by Microsoft to refurbish computers and install licensed products. Because we're an authorized refurbisher, that means I'm obligated to wipe any and all hard drives. So I can assure people if they want to donate it or someone comes in and says I want to donate and I want my data, I'll open the computer up and pull the hard drive out and hand it to them. Because when I re-image it, it has to be wiped. I have other hard drives.

You used to be able to put computers out on the sidewalk. Now you can't do that. Also industries can't dispose of their computer equipment the way they used to. So they donate it. They say you come get it. No you drop it off because I know they're saving money (plus they're getting a tax deduction} because they don't have to pay for disposal.

My concern is since I'm a grandmom my concern is with school children, middle school through high school and college students. When I get donations of laptops, the college students are first on the list AT REDUCED PRICE? At minimal price. Especially a high school student who comes in and they're honor roll. They get a whole PC for twenty bucks. AND HOW DO THEY FIND OUT ABOUT YOU? Usually word of mouth. Everybody knows "Miss Wynnie, the computer lady." Summit Presbyterian Church, Mount Airy.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Computer
• recycling
• recycle
• refurbish
• Microsoft
• Mount Airy
• Philadelphia
• hard drive
• grandmother
• donation