/R E P E A T -- Computers for Kids Takes Aim at Narrowing Technology Gap/

Essex/Windsor community comes together to provide an educational hand-up to young people in our community

WINDSOR, ON, Dec. 21 /CNW/ - On Tuesday December 22 at 11:00AM , CAW Local 200 Computers for Kids will be holding their final placement of computers for the year. At this special event, which is to be held at their location, over twenty families will receive a refurbished computer system for their children.

Professional educators believe that lacking a computer can put a child at serious risk of falling behind in school. With the current global economic crisis, an increasing number of families are finding it difficult to provide the necessities of life. A computer in the home is usually out of the question for these young people.

However, a charity located in Windsor, Ontario is fighting to overcome this issue through the placement of computers in the homes of families with children or youth in need. Computers for Kids, Charitable Status Number 86000 1437 RR0001, focuses on increasing access to computers for disadvantaged and at-risk students.

In this age of increasing electronic technology, developing computer skills at an early age has become necessary for successful transition into working life. The use of a computer can provide students with a powerful tool, which can greatly improve their homework assignments, research projects and ultimately their education level. Computers for Kids takes aim at turning children of families facing economic barriers into success stories of the future.

The charity relies on computer donations from businesses, various agencies and residents to fulfill the referrals received from social service organizations and schools. "I would like to thank the many donors we have, commercial, institutional and residential, for their support," said Chris Davies , Computers for Kids Executive Director. "By choosing to donate your computers and electronics to us, you enable us to continue offering this much needed service to our community."

With generous support and hard work from many donors and volunteers, Computers for Kids has been able to help open over 40 computer labs throughout Windsor/Essex County, recycle over 2.5 million pounds of e-waste and donate over 1,500 computers to young people over the past six years.

Donated equipment is evaluated by trained staff and volunteers who then refurbish as many systems as possible for placements in after-school & summer programs, or in the homes of special needs students. In 2009, 362 computers were refurbished for designated placements in which over 660 children benefited.

In order to continue to meet the high demand for these services, increased equipment donations are necessary. Products that are accepted include desktop and laptop computers; peripherals such as mice, keyboards and disk drives; monitors; televisions; desktop printers and fax machines. Even non-functional items are found useful as the charity operates a recycling program that helps raise funds for their programs. To drop off your items, visit Computers for Kids anytime between 9:00AM - 5:00PM Monday through Friday. They are located at 4150 Sandwich St., Windsor, Ontario.

About Computers for Kids:

Computers for Kids was founded in January of 2004 with the vision of providing refurbished computer systems to children who may not otherwise have access to one outside of school. Since then, the organization has helped one child at a time, growing to provide public computer learning centres as well as becoming a full service computer and electronics recycler.

For further information: Chris Davies, Executive Director, CAW Local 200 Computers for Kids, (519) 253-KIDS (5437), www.cfkcanada.org