ABillionBits

Brooklyn residents Akiva Perl and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shagalov have taken inspiration from the government's Clunkers for Cash program and created Computer4Kids. The program is also known as  "Mitzvos for Clunkers", using the traditional Hebrew word for good deeds to describe the innovative program combining humanitarian and environmental aid.

Perl, a computer technician who is the proprietor of CleverComputers (http://www.akivait.com), found that he had amassed a collection of abandoned computers, brought to him by customers who then found their computers were "not worth fixing".

These "clunkers" of the digital era were cluttering his business space and even encroaching on his personal storage space until he received a fateful call from the community activist Rabbi Shagalov.

The activist wanted to know whether Perl had any computers available to donate to disadvantaged children, including orphans and disabled children as well as children from broken homes and others who are suffering because of the economic crisis, and who need computers to learn and be able to pull themselves up through vital technological education and training.

Thus started Computers4Kids, which as of late August has collected and donated over 3000 computers. And since the program has no expiration date, whereas word is spreading fast and the number of children or parents requesting help is growing, they are turning to both companies and individuals to assist them.

The initiators of the program point out that the benefit of computer donation is actually a double one, as it benefits the recipient as well as the environment:

"Donors reduce their carbon footprint by recycling their computers, as well as printers or parts which we also gratefully accept. This saves landfill space, frees up room in the home, and helps someone less fortunate, all in one." Perl explains. "And the child receiving the computer begins to improve his IT skills, so that he will be at an advantage when looking for work in this technologically oriented society. "

He continues: "Until now we've been doing this with little outside help. But the time has come to enlist the help of others".

Shagalov, the Brooklyn neighborhood activist, has called on major computer manufacturers and retailers to help in his efforts. "These companies can help by asking customers to donate a few dollars to us or to pass their old computers on to us," he explained.

To date he is approaching Dell, IBM/Lenovo, HP/Compaq, Gateway, Toshiba, Apple and Microsoft to take part in his efforts, and he has set up a website.

This website allows people either to donate funds online or to arrange for pickup and delivery to make it easy for them to donate their used computers.

Monetary donations are intended to purchase a new mouse, keyboard and speakers for donated and recently refurbished computers and in turn, plans are being made for the donor to receive a $75 incentive toward purchase of a new computer or accessories.

In addition, Perl added: "We install age appropriate software for toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school, all the way through high school." To this end they are contacting and enlisting software publishers including Scholastic, Disney, Broderbund and other leading firms.

"This Edu-tainment program is meant to enhance the lives and study of underprivileged children. We hope that it helps them reinforce their science, language, math and reading comprehension skills as it prepares them for life in this information and technology age," Perl explained.

Corporate Address:

820 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213

Telephone: 718.552.5542 (24 hours a day)

Facebook.com: mamash770@gmail.com

Rabbi M. Shagalov - For tax deductible donations (Visa & MC accepted): RabbiShagalov@gmail.com



Avi Cohen, Pennsylvania regional office and PR: 732-504-9505



Computer local pick-up: Akiva Perl, Akivait.com, 718-778-4766

If you are in need of a computer, or know someone who is, please call: Menachem M. Shagalov 718-552-5442.