November 2 Computer Drive with Connecting for Good

[Alisha Templeton]

Immediately following this week's breakfast, from 9-10am Friday, November 2, SMCKC and Connecting for Good are holding a computer drive to collect internet-enabled devices to be distributed to lower income Kansas City residents. Please bring used and unwanted laptops, desktop computers, tablets or mobile phones that you would like to donate. We will accept any desktop or laptop (Mac or PC) whether it is in working condition or not. Non-broken monitors and peripherals can also be donated; if they are broken Synetic will recycle them for you for a fee. 

Computers donated to Connecting for Good will be used in their digital literacy program, providing hands-on guided learning of practical life skills to KC residents who may be connecting to the internet for the first time. For some, one of the biggest hurdles is obtaining access to hardware. The computers and devices that you donate will go directly into the hands of under-resourced residents here in Kansas City. 

"What about the stuff on my computer's hard drive?" Every device donated will receive a standard hard drive reformatting and reinstallation of the operating system to wipe your personal data. A second option, for added data security, is available: a bullet-proof, industrial-strength data destruction provided by Synetic Technologies. Synetic is a company known for providing their certified data destruction services (DOD, HIPAA and PCI Compliant) to major corporations throughout the Midwest. Because there is an extra expense involved, we are asking for a $5.00 (cash or debit/credit) donation for each computer that will go through this industrial-strength process. Or the standard reformatting is free.

Also, please bring the original OEM disks that came with your computer so that the operating system can be reinstalled.

Tax receipts will be provided for all donations.

Remember the computer drive will be held from 9 to 10am, after the presentation by GoComics. A trailer will be parked at 1532 Grand Blvd in front of Kansas City Cafe. 

Thank you in advance for your donation in helping to bring the internet to Kansas City's neighborhoods! We are also looking for volunteers to help Connecting for Good teach the digital literacy classes. Please email [e-mail] if you're interested in learning more about volunteering. And be sure to follow @ConnectingKC on Twitter.