Thanks to Tad Erickson at Region Five for the following story on the PCs for People affiliates in Brainerd. Tad is a MIRC Coordinator in the area; PCs for People is a MIRC partner that fixes used computers to give to families in need. I thought it would be a nice story for Thanksgiving – and a reminder that as you replace your old computers (say starting at the midnight sales) please consider donating the old ones to give them to folks who wouldn’t otherwise have one.

In March of 2010, Jessica (pictured with her mother) found herself without a working computer at home, and in danger of falling behind in her school work as a result. Fortunately, thanks to a new project in the Brainerd area to provide refurbished used computers to income eligible families at a very low cost, Jessica now has a working computer at home, and thanks to a reduced internet access fee provided through Consolidated Telephone (CTC), she is also able to do on-line research from the comfort of her own home.

During these difficult economic times many families have stretched every dollar as far as it will go and do not have the resources to obtain a computer, let alone internet access that may give them the opportunity to enhance their education and quality of life drastically.

In 2009 the Blandin Foundation was awarded a federal grant to champion Broadband adoption and promotion in rural Minnesota. The Blandin Foundation selected six statewide partners, one of which is PC’s for People, a non-profit organization that started in Mankato and now operates in St. Paul. PC’s for People extends the useful life of computers by refurbishing them and donating them to low income and disadvantaged individuals to enhance educational opportunities for families with young children.

The Region Five Development Commission, another of Blandin’s six partners in the grant, has teamed up with PC’s for People to create an affiliate PC’s for People organization to serve the five counties within Region5. In early development of this program, Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) brought partners to the table to begin discussing this initiative. Between CTC, PC’s for People, Blandin Foundation, Region 5, ISD 181 and Karl Samp, the first pilot and trial was launched. The pilot program successfully refurbished and placed 10 computers into homes of families with elementary school aged children that were defined as low income and had a need for a PC within their home.
Another recipient was a family facing the harsh reality of a Minnesota winter without a home of their own.

Fortunately, a family friend was able to provide them with a place to live for the winter. With a major obstacle temporarily overcome other needs became important, like word processing and internet access. About this same time they learned of the PC’s for People affiliate program and applied for a laptop computer. What a difference a day makes! In a matter of days, this family went from living unsheltered with young children to the warmth and security of a comfortable home and a computer to access online education opportunities, communicate, and complete homework.

Many of us have a computer (or two) just sitting unused in a basement or garage, or a business who has several computers that they may otherwise have to pay to recycle or store. With the holidays fast approaching consider making a difference in a young person’s life by giving the gift of opportunity. If you would like to donate a computer please contact Hughes Technology by phone at 218.232.5435.