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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 105%;">CITY OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI<br />P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 200%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">January 9, 2017</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 75px; font-size: 120%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Jackie Wilmes
<br />Voluntary Action Center
<br />573.874.2273
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<br />Leigh Kottwitz
<br />573.874.7504
<br />Leigh.Kottwitz@CoMo.com</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:200%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 170%;">Homes for Computers Program Now Accepting Applications</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The City of Columbia, Voluntary Action Center (VAC) and the Downtown Optimist Club are once again partnering to provide surplus refurbished computers to eligible low-income Columbia families as part of the Homes for Computers program.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Applications are available at the VAC office, 403 A Vandiver Dr., and must be completed and turned in to the VAC office prior to the enrollment deadline of Feb. 10. If there are more applications received than computers available, a drawing will be held at the VAC office. To be eligible, families must have at least one child in grades K-12 and residency within the City of Columbia's city limits. Priority is given to families who do not have a computer in their home and have not previously received a computer through the program. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the VAC office at 874-2273.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chosen families will be notified after Feb.13. Computers will be distributed by the Downtown Optimist Club from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Optimist building, 1201 Grand Ave., in Columbia. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Homes for Computers program was approved by City Council in December 2003. Prior to this program, the city disposed of surplus computers through the University of Missouri, Surplus Property Division. The city determined that donating the computers to families in Columbia was a much better alternative. To date, nearly 500 computers have been given to worthy families through this program.</span></p>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Staffing and security issues limit this program to the distribution of surplus city computers only. VAC is not able to accept other computer donations at this time. There are several local businesses what will accept computers for recycling:<br /><br /></span></span>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Best Buy, 2001 W. Worley St.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Computer Center, 1122 Lakeview Ave.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mid-MO Recycling, 6104 Brown Station Rd.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">New World Recycling, 3011 David Dr.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Office Depot, 101 S. Providence Rd. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Staples, 115 Conley Rd.</span></li>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a href="https://gis.gocolumbiamo.com/CityView/?find=403 A Vandiver Drive" target="_blank">403 A Vandiver Drive</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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