[Press Release] : Homes for Computers Program

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2009

CONTACT: Cindy Mustard
Executive Director
Voluntary Action Center
(573) 449-6959 

City of Columbia, Voluntary Action Center and Downtown Optimist Club
announce sixth annual Homes for Computers Program	
							
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - This time of year is synonymous with cold
weather, ice and snow, and Columbia’s annual “Homes for Computers”
giveaway. The city of Columbia, the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) and
the Downtown Optimist Club partner to provide surplus (used) computers
and equipment (monitors, keyboards, mouse etc.) to eligible VAC clients
as part of the “Homes For Computers” Program. This year, about 35
computers will be given away by drawing to clients who are enrolled in
VAC programs or programs/services administered by the VAC.
	Applications are available at the VAC offices, 800 N.
Providence, Suite 220, and must be completed and turned in to the VAC
office during the enrollment period, Jan. 12 - Feb. 13. If there are
more applications received than computers available, a drawing will be
held. VAC staff will determine eligibility, date/sign the applications
and enter them in the drawing. Eligibility requirements are as follows:
●	Current VAC client
●	Family consists of at least one child in grades K-12
●	Child is enrolled in Columbia public schools
●	Family does not have computer in the home
	Winning clients will be notified the week of Feb. 16. Computers
will be distributed by the Downtown Optimist Club on Saturday, Feb. 28,
between 9 a.m. and noon at the Downtown Optimist Club Building, 1201
Grand Ave.
	The “Homes for Computers” Program was initiated by Tony St.
Romaine, assistant city manager, and approved by City Council 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, 188 computers have gone back into use
in the community through this program.
	Unfortunately, manpower and security issues limit this program
to the distribution of surplus city computers only. However, citizens
who wish to donate unused/unwanted computers may contact the following
agencies: 
●	Mid-Missouri Solid Waste Management District - Electronic Waste
Collection Event at Hickman High School, Feb. 28, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1104
N. Providence Road,  $5 fee for each TV, computer monitor, copy machine
or microwave
●	FreeCycle at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleColumbiaMO/

●	Columbia Computer Center, 1122 Lakeview Ave., (573) 442-9445,
accepts working computer parts and monitors less than 10 years old 
●	Dell Recycle Program, recycle or donate, www.dell.com  
●	Mid-MO Recycling, 6104 Brown Station Road, (573) 474-3997,
accepts most items at no charge - after Jan. 1, fee for monitors 
●	Staples, 115 Conley Road, accepts electronic items, $10 fee
applies. Provides pickup of larger items that are too heavy to bring to
the store, additional $10 fee applies. 

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