1,000 Houston Children Receive Donated Computers from Comp-U-Dopt

HOUSTON, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- As Krista Acosta, a fourth grader at Berry Elementary in north Houston, became the 1,000th local child to receive a computer from non-profit Comp-U-Dopt, Inc., she thanked the computer donor and volunteers who opened a "new world" for her.

"When I grow up," Krista said, "I want to write books with good stories. I want to go to college someday, and this computer will help me learn at home after school." Acosta's mother, Bertha, added, "As a single mother with four children, I cannot always take Krista to the public library to use a computer. This computer will help our family so much."

Comp-U-Dopt founder John Osha said, "Comp-U-Dopt achieved an important milestone this week, but our mission to help Houston children is just beginning. Hundreds of children are on our waiting list. Donations of computers, financial support and time can make an immediate difference in a child's life."

Founded in 2007, Comp-U-Dopt encourages the development of technology skills in children and helps foster computer reuse and better stewardship of the environment. Executive Director Veronica Harford noted that a computer donation to Comp-U-Dopt is a safe, reliable way to dispose of working computers and monitors that may have been updated or are not in use. "Far too many serviceable computers collect in offices and homes, are stockpiled in warehouses, or end up in landfills," she said.

Houstonians can help Comp-U-Dopt in three ways. Harford said, "First, your donations of working PCs and laptops are critical. Second, your tax-deductible financial donations cover the costs of refurbishing and distributing the computers and related educational support. And, third, we rely on volunteers. Some of our volunteers are technologically knowledgeable, but many others are not. For volunteers who are not, we provide training."

Comp-U-Dopt volunteers include retirees, working professionals and students from area high schools and the University of Houston, Rice University, Texas A&M, and Texas State.

Donated computers are awarded to enthusiastic children whose essays explain how a computer will benefit their education. Each refurbished computer comes with Linux-based educational tools as well as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and Internet capabilities. Children chosen to receive computers attend a two-hour "adoption" session with parents or guardians to learn software use and computer care.

Computer donors can be assured that the hard drives of donated computers are erased to U.S. Department of Defense standards. "Our computer donors, whether they are large corporations or families, know they can count on us to carry out the hard drive 'wipe' process," Harford said.

Osha said, "Please keep Comp-U-Dopt in mind when you or your company upgrade computers and need a new home for the old ones. Anyone who contributes computers, time or financial support to this organization can be proud that he or she is helping children throughout the city by investing in their curiosity and interest in learning."

Contact: Veronica Harford, Comp-U-Dopt, Inc., 713.855.2650, [email protected].

SOURCE Comp-U-Dopt, Inc.