100 Students to Receive Free Computers Saturday Feb. 21 at Kramden Institute
Friday, 20 February 2009 11:20
Caolina Newswire 02-20-2009
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Kramden Institute, Inc., will hold an award day on February 21 and give away 100 computers to less-advantaged students who currently lack in-home computer systems. The students have been nominated by their teachers to receive the computers. Students from schools in six counties will participate.
“Despite the economic downturn, we are as determined as ever to help deserving students cross the digital divide” said Mark D. Dibner, Chairman and acting Executive Director of Kramden Institute. “In these tough times, the number of students and families in need of home computers will increase. It is our goal in 2009 to provide twice as many students with free computers than in 2008 and to maintain the growth we have experienced to date.”
In 2008, Kramden recycled, refurbished and donated 1,500 computers. Kramden’s goal for 2009 is to provide 3,000 home computers to students in North Carolina communities and possibly beyond. To achieve this goal, Kramden will continue to rely on over 800 volunteers, corporate sponsors such as Cisco, LabCorp, Lenovo, Society for Information Management, and individual donors whose contributions support its ongoing efforts. “We have access to the computers we need to refurbish to meet our goals. Our only stumbling block is funding. Since our cost to refurbish a computer is still on the order of $65 each, we need to double our donations of funds this year so that we can afford to help the additional 1,500 families,” said Dibner.
Since the inception of its programs in 2003, over 3,000 computers have been donated to students throughout the Triangle and North Carolina who need a computer at home to facilitate their studies. Kramden Institute’s mission is to empower hardworking, less-advantaged students by giving them free computers. Through Kramden’s efforts, the students who receive computers are more likely to achieve their full academic potential and contribute to the success of future generations.
This Saturday’s event will include 20 volunteers who will work each of two shifts to manage logistics and demonstrate to students how to set up and use their computers. Another 45 volunteers will work each of the two shifts to refurbish additional computers for more students to receive in the future. The computer refurbishing process is known as a Geek-A-Thon® and is Kramden’s signature event.
About the Award Day Event
The Award Day will be held Saturday February 21, at Kramden Institute’s headquarters at 4915 Prospectus Drive, Suite J, in Durham beginning at 9:00 a.m. About 20 volunteers will help make the donations to the students and their families. To learn more, contact Kramden at 919-293-1133 or find detailed information on Kramden Institute’s website at www.kramden.org.
About Kramden: Inspire. Encourage. Educate. Recycle.
Kramden Institute, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to bridge the digital divide for students, chosen by their schools, who work hard in school but cannot afford a home computer. Kramden recycles and refurbishes computers to donate to students, inspiring them to work harder in school while helping the environment. The refurbishing activities are achieved through volunteer efforts including weekend-long events, known as Geek-A-Thons®. Kramden has donated over 3,000 computers to students and others in need. Including the parents and siblings of Kramden awardees, an estimated 12,000 people have been brought across the digital divide since Kramden started in 2003. Learn more at www.kramden.org.
