Teaming for Technology
Nowadays, companies are constantly upgrading their technology equipment, and private individuals routinely purchase a new computer. Computers considered obsolete in the fast-paced world are still very valuable to our schools and local non-profit agencies where a quality, refurbished computer can ease financial burdens from the high cost of purchasing new computer equipment. T4T helps schools and non-profit agencies keep expenses down by providing refurbished computers loaded with a fresh copy of Microsoft Windows XP Professional for them. Schools and agencies request equipment through an online application process, and T4T prioritizes recipients based on applications that will have the greatest impact toward lessening the digital divide. Volunteers help us prepare the equipment for a school or non-profit agency, and this results in a quality system for our clients being far less expensive than a comparable store bought system.
In order to recoup a portion of operating costs, T4T charges a service fee of $30 per computer. Because this small service fee is not enough to cover the cost of the program year after year, T4T relies on cash donations from caring citizens and businesses to meet the needs of our clients. The actual cost from when a computer is donated to T4T until it leaves the door for a school or non-profit agency is approximately $65 parts and labor.
2009 was a incredible year for T4T in terms of the number of people at a disadvantage to owning a computer that now have one, the progress made with our community partnerships addressing the digital divide, and the amount of scrap material kept out of the landfill to be reused or recycled so we can protect our planet. Join us in making 2010 an even bigger success. With your help, we can continue to improve the lives of North Carolinians by making technology more accessible. If you would like to volunteer, donate cash, or donate equipment, contact us at t4t@unitedwaytriangle.org.