Tag Archives: t4t

We want your computers

Posted on by Edwin Jeffords

Teaming for Technology - United Way of the Greater Triangle

Computers waiting for refurbishment!

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard about our computer refurbishing program, Teaming for Technology, right?  If not, here’s the lowdown:  we take in gently used computers (1-4 years old) from individuals and corporations.  Our Teaming for Technology crew and an army of volunteers clean the computer, wipe the hard drive, install a new OS, install Office, upgrade the RAM, and repackage it with all the peripherals.  Then we distribute these like-new computers to nonprofits and schools across North Carolina.  It’s a great program and a great mission.

Here’s the rub…the entire program runs on donated computers and volunteers.  We absolutely LOVE when companies approach us about taking their soon-to-be retired computer equipment.  But, we can NEVER get enough.  Last year alone, Teaming for Technology refurbished and distributed over 2,600 computers.  This year, we’re shooting for 3,000!  In order for that to happen, we need companies like yours to partner with us when it comes time to replace your computers.

Most companies replace their computers every 3-4 years on some sort of rolling schedule.  Our most successful partnerships that have created the most impact toward “bridging the digital divide” in North Carolina are companies that donate their computers to T4T each time there is a batch within the company being replaced.  Not only does your company get a significant tax deduction for the charitable donation, but you can rest assured that the technology will go to deserving schools and nonprofits right here in North Carolina.

Not quite sure about us yet?  No worries, come spend a Friday afternoon with us volunteering in the shop.  You can see the process first-hand and help us refurbish the computers yourself.  We open our doors to any volunteer on Fridays after 1pm.

Interested in learning more?  Give us a call, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!

Edwin Jeffords
919-463-5001

 




The People on the Bus

Posted on by Jennifer Bosk

Joe Burgess is the manager of United Way of the Greater Triangle’s Technology Outreach Program.  He works in our Teaming for Technology location on McCrimmon Parkway in Morrisville.  He is an avid bicyclist but on inclement days he rides the bus.  This is his story.

Every day is always an experience when you take the bus to work; you make friends and chat with those around you.  You get to meet all sorts of people and even the bus drivers themselves can be quite entertaining.

The other day I left work early because it started to ice.  The bus home was packed and I took the last seat.  I sat next to two ladies in their late sixties. The woman to my left said her home heater just broke and she didn’t have any money to fix it.  I felt bad for her because it was one of the coldest weekends we’ve had around here.  She moved to Raleigh from Barbados 30 years ago and I thought how warm it must be there.

I sat perpendicular to the other lady.  She was on her way to church to fold bulletins for the weekend service.  She saw my Kindle and reckoned she didn’t think she would like to read books on what she called a digital screen.  But as she scrolled through historical artworks, one of the scenes was a famous picture called St. Jerome in His Study, and the church lady knew that one right away.  She pointed out the lion and dog in the foreground.  By the end of the ride we were all friends, with the church lady and the lady from Barbados calling each other “Sisters in Heaven” though they had just met.

Then a sad incident happened which I’ll never forget.  Brooks Avenue is typically a busier stop where people get on and off. The last person to get on was an 83 year old woman.  She was a tiny thing, all bundled up in her jacket and hat.  As she got on, we waited so the driver could give her time to get seated.  Everyone moved their stuff out of the way to give her space to walk down the aisle.  Because it was icy out, I’m sure her feet were wet and slippery as she made her way down the bus aisle. Continue reading →




Superheroes Do Exist; At Least at United Way

Posted on by Reah Nicholson

After a long career with IBM, Patt Cowder, a Pennsylvania native, who moved to the Triangle 39 years ago with IBM, was still itching to get his hands on those crazy machines that we all either love or hate. When his wife passed away, Cowder thought he should spend his time doing something worthwhile, while also having fun and making a difference. So, he decided to use his expertise to his advantage.

Two years ago, while searching through the IBM On Demand Community, a volunteer portal for current employees and retirees, Cowder ran across a volunteer opportunity with United Way of the Greater Triangle’s Teaming for Technology program. Teaming for Technology (T4T) is a program dedicated to narrowing the achievement gap by bridging the digital divide. T4T provides refurbished computers to schools, education supporting nonprofits and their students.

“It’s fun to see who gets the computers and the people that come in and sign up for them,” said Cowder. “We don’t see many of the actual end users, but it is interesting to see the school systems that come in and get 20 or 30 computers to set up a computer lab. It’s interesting to see who gets them and to see a good way to use computers that someone in the past may have thrown away.”

Two years later and Cowder is a permanent fixture in the T4T warehouse, where he works on Mondays and Tuesdays for about seven hours a day. He has taken on the responsibility of refurbishing the laptops that are donated and loading an updated operating system onto them. If a laptop can’t be refurbished then he takes them apart and gathers the usable parts. His love for computers makes it even more fun.

“It’s fun to do things you’ve always wanted to do to your own computer, but you wouldn’t do it because you were afraid you’d break it,” said Cowder. “Well, you can do that here. And, I do this because it’s interesting and fun to do.”

Little did he know that his hard work and commitment to making a difference in the community would be recognized nationally. After serving 600 hours with T4T during 2011, Cowder was awarded the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award, which was presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation (The Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

Now that he is retired, Cowder finds time to not only volunteer, but to enjoy the many hobbies and interests that he has enjoyed throughout his lifetime. Aside from volunteering with T4T twice a week, Cowder enjoys square dancing and choreographed ballroom dancing, which he participates in about four times a week.




Top 10 ways to get involved with United Way

Posted on by Edwin Jeffords

Sometimes when I tell people  I work for United Way, they smile and say, “Oh that’s a great organization.”  They’re right, it is a great organization.  Most times, that is the extent of the conversation.  However, occasionally, someone will pepper me with follow up questions and want to know more about United Way and how they can get involved.

Below are my top ten ways you can get involved with United Way, and more specifically, United Way of the Greater Triangle:

10. Visit our website.  If you haven’t already, the easiest way to get to know us, is to check out our website.  There, you’ll see event photos, details about how we fund programs, T4T, 2-1-1, our Board of Directors, our senior staff, and more.

9.  Subscribe to our e-newsletter.  We send this out quarterly, and provide valuable information about what United Way is up to in the community, and with its partners.  Go here to subscribe now.

8. Tour a partner agency!  We have dozens of partner agencies that we help support.  If you really want to see the work being done on the front lines in the Triangle the partner agencies are where you should go first.  Want to setup a tour for you or your company?  Contact Reah  Nicholson.

7. Volunteer with us at a Day of Caring, Day of Action, or MLK Jr. Day of Service.  These are our three largest community-wide volunteer days each year.  Our projects vary from art to woodworking to basic needs.  This is a great way to dip your toes into the world of United Way in just one afternoon.

6. Come to a United Way sponsored event like our Campaign Kickoff, WLC cake auction, Food Truck Rodeo, CEO Sleepout, or one of the volunteer events listed above.  Each event will have many United Way staffers and advocates there for you to speak with about United Way.

5. Run a company campaign.  This is the primary source of our revenue.  The more revenue our campaigns raise, the more that is placed in the areas that need it most, right here in the Triangle.  If you would like to speak to someone about running a United Way campaign at your office, call Jim Green at 919-463-5019.

4. Donate a computer to our Teaming for Technology program.  T4T, as we like to call it, takes gently used computers and refurbishes them so a school or nonprofit in North Carolina can benefit from a low-priced piece of technology that will serve them for several years.  If you would like to donate your old computer, check here for more details.

3. Volunteer with T4T.  The program mentioned above is a vital part of our United Way.  Nonprofits and schools depend on our technology to allow them to place computers in the hands of children and students who would otherwise not have access to one.  In order to meet the demand of our orders, T4T is always looking for committed volunteers who can spend time at our location helping to refurbish computers.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Al Reynolds.

2. Follow, fan, tweet, retweet, like, subscribe, etc.  If the tool exists in social media, chances are, we have a presence there.  Find us on facebook, twitter, pinterest, youtube, linked in, google+ and others.  Interact with us in your chosen social space.  We love feedback and online conversations with our friends.  Like us, follow us, and send us your story, pictures, or video!

1. The most important thing you can do to become active with United Way, is advocating for us among your friends, coworkers, and business partners.  While we have a very recognizable brand in the public eye, many times people do not fully understand the value we bring to the Triangle.  Help us out with word of mouth advocacy of our programs, services, and agencies.