Last Satuday, my oldest son Christopher Baran, sole proprietor of Channahon Computer Repair (www.channahonpcrepair.com) hosted a recycle event that targeted only computers and computer parts, including printers.
While many communities do host recycle events, this one was rather different. Christopher's event accepted only computer-related items; it was held on the grounds of his home-based business; and the heart of it was a "fundraiser" of types, all the while supporting the "going green" concept and giving people a place to safely dispose of their unwanted supplies.
The beneficiary of his efforts is Christ's Academy in Shorewood (www.christsacademy.net), a small K-12 private school with an equally small computer lab containing just several, older-model (and in some cases non or barely functioning) computers.
Last fall, from a friend whose son attends the school, we learned the school was planning a chili buffet and silent auction to raise money to buy computer and science equipment. To help promote the event, I wrote a story for the Herald News. To help support the cause, I donated a Bryony basket.
Then the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder with an idea. Why not let one "little guy" help anothe? I mentioned the idea to my mother as she assemebled the basket for me. She bought tickets to the dinner so the entire family could attend (including her and my father). There, I introduced Christopher to the principal, and he laid out the idea.
We advertised through print, radio, and Facebook. My wonderful graphic designer from CAL Graphics, Inc. designed a great flyer, and my good friend who owns a printing shop donated two hundred flyers, which we posted everywhere.
As news traveled, Christopher received many phone calls, starting a week before the event for pickups. He's continuing to receive calls. By Friday night, our mudroom and Christopher's office was overflowing with equipment.
Still, we did not expect what happened Saturday.
The amount of traffic to Channahon Computer Repair during the four hours of the recyle event was beyond amazing. At times, vehicles lined up nine cars deep to our house. We're not talking about people donating a monitor here and there. We're talking great big trucks and vans full of equipment or about three times the amount of recyle Christopher's seen by comparison at past community recycle events.
The overall goal was to supply the school with twelve to fifteen late model computers with up-to-date software for its students. Because much recycle is not reusable, Christopher estimated it would take many events to make that goal. He hoped to glean enough from his first attempt for two or three good computers.
In reality, Christopher just might have enough for six, enough to replace the school's existing equipment, enough to make half his goal. For now, that's just an estimate. He has an awful lot of material to test and strip for parts, and this will take some time.
Blogger wouldn't let me upload photos all of a sudden (GRUMBLE!), but you can see one HERE
Yes, the school will need to purchase some parts from its chili buffet funds for any parts that cannot be reused, so no, the computers won't be completely free to them. Nevertheless, Christopher is donating his labor, and the community donated the foundational supplies. The result is that the school should eventually wind-up with a full functioning, modern computer lab for its students by spending the most rock-bottom of funds.
If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is.
While many communities do host recycle events, this one was rather different. Christopher's event accepted only computer-related items; it was held on the grounds of his home-based business; and the heart of it was a "fundraiser" of types, all the while supporting the "going green" concept and giving people a place to safely dispose of their unwanted supplies.
The beneficiary of his efforts is Christ's Academy in Shorewood (www.christsacademy.net), a small K-12 private school with an equally small computer lab containing just several, older-model (and in some cases non or barely functioning) computers.
Last fall, from a friend whose son attends the school, we learned the school was planning a chili buffet and silent auction to raise money to buy computer and science equipment. To help promote the event, I wrote a story for the Herald News. To help support the cause, I donated a Bryony basket.
Then the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder with an idea. Why not let one "little guy" help anothe? I mentioned the idea to my mother as she assemebled the basket for me. She bought tickets to the dinner so the entire family could attend (including her and my father). There, I introduced Christopher to the principal, and he laid out the idea.
We advertised through print, radio, and Facebook. My wonderful graphic designer from CAL Graphics, Inc. designed a great flyer, and my good friend who owns a printing shop donated two hundred flyers, which we posted everywhere.
As news traveled, Christopher received many phone calls, starting a week before the event for pickups. He's continuing to receive calls. By Friday night, our mudroom and Christopher's office was overflowing with equipment.
Still, we did not expect what happened Saturday.
The amount of traffic to Channahon Computer Repair during the four hours of the recyle event was beyond amazing. At times, vehicles lined up nine cars deep to our house. We're not talking about people donating a monitor here and there. We're talking great big trucks and vans full of equipment or about three times the amount of recyle Christopher's seen by comparison at past community recycle events.
The overall goal was to supply the school with twelve to fifteen late model computers with up-to-date software for its students. Because much recycle is not reusable, Christopher estimated it would take many events to make that goal. He hoped to glean enough from his first attempt for two or three good computers.
In reality, Christopher just might have enough for six, enough to replace the school's existing equipment, enough to make half his goal. For now, that's just an estimate. He has an awful lot of material to test and strip for parts, and this will take some time.
Blogger wouldn't let me upload photos all of a sudden (GRUMBLE!), but you can see one HERE
Yes, the school will need to purchase some parts from its chili buffet funds for any parts that cannot be reused, so no, the computers won't be completely free to them. Nevertheless, Christopher is donating his labor, and the community donated the foundational supplies. The result is that the school should eventually wind-up with a full functioning, modern computer lab for its students by spending the most rock-bottom of funds.
If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is.
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