The below story is from the Billings’ Gazette:
Shy as she was, Donnatella Gorea couldn’t hide her smile when she saw the refurbished computer she was receiving from Computers 4 Kids Tuesday morning.
“She’s been in the foster system since she was 2,” explained Carol Baer, Donnatella’s foster mother. “She’s never had a computer.”
Donnatella, 12, didn’t say much. She smiled again and then climbed back into Baer’s small, blue Ford Ranger.
To those in need
For the past decade, Computers 4 Kids has taken donated computers and cleaned and rebuilt them to give to children and individuals who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford them.
This year, the group set up outside Rimrock GMC Cadillac, next to Rimrock Mall. The dealership partnered with Computers 4 Kids, paying the costs of recycling old monitors and other donated equipment.
The old, big-box monitors — known as CRTs — contain lead and are considered hazardous waste. Only a handful of places are certified to safely recycle them, costing Computers 4 Kids a lot of money to properly dispose of them when they come in.
But Wes Nussbaum, president of Computers 4 Kids encourages people to bring those old monitors in.
“We keep them out of the landfill,” he said. “We don’t want that lead in the landfill.”
Mission accomplished
And he’s grateful to Rimrock GMC Cadillac for paying those recycling costs. It’s just one more way local businesses have helped Computers 4 Kids carry out its mission, he said.
Watching Donnatella look over her computer, volunteer Dave Cook said, “It’s what makes it all worth it.”
Baer is thankful for the program. Donnatella just started middle school and needs more help with her math and science homework. Having access to the Internet will really help, Baer said.
Nussbaum said Christmas is a good season for the give-away. Many families are updating their electronics and looking for a way to get rid of their old equipment.
On the other side of the equation, families who don’t have the means can pick up a personal computer just in time for Christmas.
Computers 4 Kids has an application process for families or individuals to fill out if they’re interested in receiving a computer. But, Nussbaum said, the goal really is to get kids connected as best they can.
“We’d rather get that computer in a kid’s hands than get picky about the application,” he said.
The group gave away 15 computers Tuesday, but it operates year-round. And it is always looking for donations.
“We always need more monitors — flat-paneled monitors,” he said. “And we always need more laptops.”
Computers 4 Kids has its headquarters at 2110 First Ave. N. in Billings and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
“We’re all-volunteer,” Cook said.
Like this article visit Rimrock GMC Cadillac online!










C