Tulsa PC Power

PC Power, a non-profit organization that rebuilds donated computers to give to needy kids, held its Fall Fundraiser and Community-Wide Computer Drop-Off Saturday, October 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., in the lot of Natural Evolution at 5719 East 13th Street. Volunteers were available to accept and unload donated computers. In addition to refurbishing computers, PC Power also strives to support responsible recycling of computers and electronics by educating the public about the hazards of e-waste and accepting obsolete electronics for recycling. Thanks to their recycling partner, Natural Evolution, none of the materials in donated computers go to landfills.

PC Power is asking for donations of Pentium II/Celeron-class or higher computers, whether they are working or not. Persons dropping off computers for recycling are encouraged to make a nominal cash donation to defray the costs associated with the recycling program. Retired Tulsa Police Officer Glenn DeWeese, the founder of PC Power, pointed out that residents of many communities are now required to pay substantial fees to dispose of their old computer equipment. The efforts of groups such as PC Power and Natural Evolution have helped Tulsans to avoid mandatory disposal fees.  All proceeds will be used to support PC Power’s computer refurbishing program.

In December, PC Power will hold its fourth annual North Pole Computer Project. Police officers from Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Broken Arrow Police Department, and Sand Springs Police Department will deliver computers loaded with educational software during the week before Christmas. "Those computers are now being used by several hundred children," said DeWeese.

Since its inception in 2003, PC Power has distributed hundreds of computers to indigent children, at-risk children, and disabled adults throughout northeastern Oklahoma. In 2006 they will distribute more than 750 computers. In addition to the North Pole Computer Project, PC Power provides computers to children at four local schools, families in Habitat for Humanity homes, computer labs in the community and disabled individuals. Those computers, along with several 1000 others that have been recycled represent a significant amount of dangerous materials that were diverted from Oklahoma landfills. According to DeWeese, the average computer monitor can contain up to five pounds of lead. He estimates that PC Power’s refurbishing and recycling programs have prevented more than four tons of lead and other metals from going to the landfill.

Complete details about the organization can be found at www.tulsapcpower.org

Comments

[Ivan]

I am very pleased to hear about this program. Not only do desktop computers take up much space in landfills there is a whole assortment of poisonous metals in them.

I have close to a dozen PIII 833mhz (ish) laptops. They work but the RAM has been salvaged to upgrade another dozen laptops, would this type of donation help, or would finding RAM prove to be too much hassle?

[Off Will Dalsing]

Ivan,

I cannot respond as to whether they can use your donation or not. I forwarded your comments to:

Information@TulsaPCpower.org

Thank You,

Of. Will Dalsing

[Robert Morris]

I have an old G3 tower of Apple. Can you use it. I may have a 23inch moniter but the lower back lite is out.