Computers for Hurricane Katrina Victims

2006-09-04T15:49:00.000-05:00

We first learned of the need for refurbished computers for Hurricane Katrina Victims in October 2005 from the MAR (Microsoft Authorized Reburbisher) program, of which we are a member.

http://www.techsoup.org/mar/default.aspx

The initial request read:

Request for 1,000 Computers to Go to Baton Rouge, LA

The Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council (CACRC) is a non-profit electronic recycler/refurbisher currently helping in the Hurricane relief effort. The demand is ever growing for computers. Displaced non-profits from New Orleans and the southern parishes are in need of computers for start-up. Shelters from Louisiana and Mississippi are asking for computers and there will be a long term need for displaced families to have computers in their new homes. The FEMA trailer parks will need to have technology available as well.

The CACRC would like to be able to provide at a minimum 200 computers to non-profits, 300 to 500 to shelters around the region (we had a request for 100 today), and another 500 for displaced families. We have ~ 100 computers on hand.

We can use Pentium II and up with working monitors. Our warehouse can upload and download pallets of equipment. The CACRC can provide a letter of donation to any donor requiring one.

Thanks for your assistance in this. Help down this way is deeply appreciated. We are in this for the long haul.

Sincerely,
Nancy Jo Craig
Executive Director
CACRC
225 379-3577

Njcwings@aol.com

BGAMUG, having had a refurbishing and PC Placement program in effect since 1996, our membership immediately investigated and authorized the project.

We launched a campaign to obtain computers and raise money from members, area businesses, and other organizations with press releases and TV appearances.

Within a month we had enough computers to restore plus $945 donated to finance the trip and delivery costs.

Many hours of testing, sorting, and making technical adjustments to the donated computers was accomplished by members and volunteers under the supervision of our PC Placement Program Director Gene Iglehart.

2006-09-04T10:47:00.000-05:00

Keep in mind that most all of our major refurbishing work is done in our member and PC Placement Program Director Gene Iglehart's garage.

We seldom schedule work sessions here as there is limited space for no more than two or three members at a time. Members visit each week to pitch-in and complete various restoring duties.

It is amazing how many computers roll out of this small area.

2006-09-04T10:06:00.000-05:00

Gene's garage is always cluttered, but he knows where everything is. When members visit to work on the computers, Gene always makes room for them and keeps them busy.

Below Gene checks stickers on every computer ready for loading.

2006-09-03T17:07:00.000-05:00

Members and volunteers showed up at Gene's garage to help load the computers and see us off.

2006-09-03T16:42:00.000-05:00

The news about our trip delivering the 50 computere to the hurricane victums spread around the state. We were flooded with calls from businesses, organizations, and individules wanting to donate computers.

Click to enlarge and read the newspaper article that appeared in October 2005.

Boy Scouts of America Troop # 10 under the direction of Malcolm Bryant Scout Leader, 1804 Lewis Lane, Owensboro KY 42301 270/926-4491 were not only collecting computers but they wanted to make another trip with us and provide a much larger truck.

We took them up on their offer because in no time we had enough computers to warrant a second trip.
We stored many of computers for a short time at a local thrift store. A big thanks to Malcom and also Poor Man's Treasurers.

2006-09-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

For the second trip we had to use a much larger truck.

It was secured and provided by the Boy Scout Troop of Owensboro, Kentucky.

Carefully loading and packing each computer, monitor, and the accessories took several hours but it was time well spent as we did not encounter any damaged items either trip.

2006-09-03T15:52:00.000-05:00

OK!! We are fully loaded and ready for the second long trip from Bowling Green, Kentucky to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Here we go again.

ALL ABOARD!!

2006-09-03T15:36:00.000-05:00

The CACRC warehouse in Baton Rogue was a buzz. There was plenty of space and manpower to help us unload.

2006-09-03T15:24:00.000-05:00

After unloading the bulk of computers to the CACRC warehouse it was off to New Orleans to directly distribute 116 of the computers to students.

The students had been previously qualified and selected by the local Dollars for Schollars chapter.

The Picture above show the scouts and Gene being introduced to recipients by Nancy Jo Craig, the Executive Director of CACRC.

Pictured below is the very first computer recipient of the day.

2006-09-03T15:15:00.000-05:00

For about 2 1/2 hours we presnted qualifying recipients with computers.

This was by far the most gratifying part of the project to see their faces lighten-up as they signed for their computer and thanked us.

2006-09-03T14:59:00.000-05:00

A job well done! We are thankful for the opportunity and more at peace knowing that we played a small part in making a few hurricane victims enjoy a richer and fuller life.

2006-09-03T14:45:00.000-05:00

New Orleans and the entire hurricane stricken area remains in critical condition as seen in these photos.

We can only pray that a similar catastrophe
does not strike again.

2006-09-03T14:42:00.000-05:00

After it was all over Flo and Gene enjoyed a "Silent serenade" from Fats Domino, Al Hirt, and Pete Fountain in the French Quarter.

Flo is Genes wife and big thanks to her for taking most all the pictures used in this story.

The following news story appeared following our second trip.

The following media release was from the CACRC:

This photo-story blog was created and posted by

Jerry Gillette, APCUG Representative on behalf of BGAMUG

The Bowling Green Microcomputer User Group, Inc.

P. O. Box 50882 Bowling Green, KY.42102-4182

jagky@insightbb.com

www.bgamug.org