A donation of 24 computers to help serve 7000 struggling Calgarians yearly

A family-focused charity is set to receive 24 fairly recent refurbished computers from the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) on February 21, 2014 (Friday) between 11am and 12nn.

CALGARY, Feb. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - For Catholic Family Service (CFS), everyday is Alberta Family Day. Through their counselling, community outreach, volunteerism and education services, the inclusive charity annually assists 7000 individuals and families from all cultures and faiths get through life's difficulties.

To run their programs effectively, it is important to keep their information technology infrastructure up to date and efficient.

"Relevant, reliable computer equipment supports our organization in delivering accessible, responsive and barrier free quality services and programs. It enables us to stay in touch with our clients, staff, volunteers, partners, stakeholders, and funders," says CFS CEO Patricia Jones

On 21 February 2014, the ERA will hand over 24 complete computer systems to the organization for use in the main office and the Louise Dean Centre of CFS.

Louise Dean Centre helps empower pregnant and parenting teens so they can make the most of their situation. Struggling to juggle motherhood, being a student, work and the news of her father's cancer, Nancy (real name undisclosed) is one of the 82 teen moms who received goodies during the Christmas Hamper Project. The gift allowed her family to enjoy and celebrate the festive season.

Event Details

When:   February 21, 2014; 11am-12nn
Where: Catholic Family Service, 250, 707 - 10 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0B3

ERA strives to avoid unnecessary waste and adverse environmental contribution by repurposing computing hardware through to true end of life when possible. Community donations to those in need of computers represent a significant proportion of the organization's operations.

The ERA recently launched the "Delete Poverty, One Laptop at a Time" campaign to help reverse poverty in Alberta, where for every 10 children one belongs to a low-income family¹. The aim of this ongoing initiative is to encourage the corporate and business sectors as well as various communities to run a collection drive to benefit financially struggling members of our society.

^{1   "}From Words to Action: Alberta Can Afford a Real Poverty Reduction Strategy"
http://globalnews.ca/news/991861/one-in-ten-alberta-children-lives-in-poverty-report/

About the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA)
ERA is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing electronic waste by preventing unwanted computers, laptops and related electronic equipment from ending up in landfills or being prematurely disposed of, or recycled when someone else can still use them. For more information about our operations, secure hard drive shredding services, or to donate your used electronic equipment, visit www.era.ca.

About CFS: Founded in 1957, Catholic Family Service (CFS) is a charitable organization dedicated to helping vulnerable Calgarians of all faiths and cultures to thrive. CFS delivers affordable and accessible, high impact solutions to empower families, individuals and children to be successful and connected at home, in school and in the community. By supporting vulnerable Calgarians, CFS strives to enhance the community for all.

SOURCE: Electronic Recycling Association

Media Contact / Interview:

Gurjeet Bansal
Communications Manager, ERA
5874361504 / 403 262 4488 ext. 105
[email protected]

Patricia Jones
CEO, Catholic Family Service
403.205.5200
[email protected]