Computers for Classrooms Program

Computers for Classrooms, Inc. (CFC) is a nonprofit organization that refurbishes computers and gives them away free to schools throughout California.

Pat Furr is founder of the CFC. She is a credentialed teacher, and a master's degree candidate in computer science.

Pat established Computers for Classrooms out of her home in 1992. CFC was born from the idea that providing refurbished computers to children in California schools benefits students as well as the environment-by keeping obsolete computers out of landfills.

According to Pat, "Our pledge has been to receive surplus computers, to refurbish and upgrade them using volunteer labor, and to supply them to public and private schools at no cost." CFC was founded as an all-volunteer committee through the Chico Unified School District. In August of 2001 the organization incorporated and received tax-exempt status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

In the beginning, the CFC serviced just the Chico Unified School District's 22 schools. As the program grew, it covered 20 different counties from San Luis Obispo to the Oregon border. After being refurbished, the computers are donated to schools with the greatest need.

Last year more than 6,000 computers were refurbished by CFC volunteers, using more than 36,000 volunteer hours. In the past 22 years, more than 14,000 computers have been refurbished and free computers have been given to schools in 26 counties. The area served ranges from the northern California border to Fresno and San Luis Obispo in the south. Ninety-five percent of the computers have multimedia capabilities, thanks to a donation from PacBell that was used to buy sound cards.

All computers are triaged to determine if they are acceptable for classroom use. Every effort is made to use all working parts. All non-useable computers, monitors, and accessories are recycled. Nothing is sent to the landfill.

CFC has five main components:

1. Furnishing multimedia computers free to California schools.

2. Working with Private Industry Council (PIC) to train clients in warehouse, inventory, and computer repair skills.

3. Training volunteers to repair computers and learn how to keep their own computer in good condition.

4. Developing community partnerships to provide computers for families who otherwise could not afford them. Program includes mentoring with Big Brothers and Sisters. 

5. Reusing and recycling computers so that they do not impact the landfill.

Awards
The CFC has won recognition from the Chamber of Commerce, Soroptimist's International, the Education Hall of Fame, the District 13 PTA, and the Hank Marsh Award.

Technical Components
The computers given away are base level Pentium 166, with 32 MB of RAM, 1.0 GB hard drive, CD-ROM, sound card, network adapter, digital monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cables.

Non-working computers
If computer monitors are received in non-working condition or hardware is irreparable, CFC takes this type of electronic waste or e-waste to a facility in Atwater, California. The Federal Prison Industries UNICOR facility takes the non-working monitors and recycles them. The monitors are disassembled, and the glass is crushed and sent to a smelter. The plastic is shredded for reuse, and the circuit boards and wire are reused.

Volunteer Staff
The CFC accepts all volunteer applicants. Many volunteers have been with the program for five years, acting as mentors to new arrivals. After volunteering for 50 hours, volunteers can earn their own computer. Not only do they receive a computer for their own use, but they benefit by getting experience with hardware, software installation, and troubleshooting.

How to donate computers to CFC
Please contact the staff at CFC before delivering computers to their office. They need to know the quantity of hardware planned for delivery. Acceptable monitors should be at least 15-inch digital color monitors.

The CFC program makes weekly trips to the Sacramento area to pick up computers in quantity. The preference is to pick up units boxed on pallets, but they may hand-load the equipment depending on the quality of the donations. There is no charge for this service. CFC also makes trips to the San Francisco Bay Area to pick up donations depending upon the quantity and quality of the computers donated.

CFC volunteers pick up all computers and accessories. They do not pick and choose only the best units. They are prompt and very dependable.

If you represent a government agency and wish to donate a computer, the State of California donee number is: 04-50015-4C. CFC is one of only five State-approved refurbishers and reports quarterly to the Department of General Services.

Location
CFC is located in Chico, near Highway 99 between Sacramento and Redding.
The address is 422 Otterson Drive, Suite 80, Chico, CA 95928-8217.
(530)895-4175
www.ComputersForClassrooms.org

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Last updated: August 01, 2008