[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: City of Columbia, Voluntary Action Center and Downtown Optimist announce ninth annual Homes for Computers Program

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nick Foster
Executive Director
Voluntary Action Center
(573) 449-6959


City of Columbia, Voluntary Action Center and Downtown Optimist announce ninth annual Homes for Computers Program

COLUMBIA, MO (January 23, 2012) - The City of Columbia, the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) and the Downtown Optimist Club are once again partnering to provide surplus, used computers and equipment, including monitors, keyboards and mice, to eligible VAC clients as part of the Homes for Computers Program. This year, about 30 computers will be given away by a drawing to clients who are enrolled in VAC programs and services.

Applications are now available at the VAC office, 403 A Vandiver, and must be completed and turned in to the VAC office during the enrollment period which is through Feb. 15. If there are more applications received than computers available, a drawing will be held at the VAC office. Eligible families must be a current VAC client, a family consisting of at least one child in grades K-12, have a child enrolled in Columbia public schools and must not have a computer in the home. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Nick Foster at the Voluntary Action Center, 449-6959.

Winning clients will be notified the week of Feb. 20. Computers will be distributed to the winning clients by the Downtown Optimist Club on Saturday, Feb. 25, between 9 a.m. -12 p.m. at the Optimist building, 1201 Grand Avenue, in Columbia. 

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, 318 computers have been given to worthy families through this program.

Manpower and security issues limit this program to the distribution of surplus City computers only. However, citizens who wish to donate their unused/unwanted computers may do so by contacting the following agencies: 

*FreeCycle, 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 monitors for a $5 charge)

*Staples, 115 Conley Road (accepts electronic items, $10 fee applies)



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