Durham County to donate computers to schools

The Computers 4 Kids partnership, which hopes to distribute 100 desktop computers by the end of the year, also involves the United Way of the Greater Triangle and the Volunteer Center of Durham.

Surplus computers from county government offices will be refurbished for by students. A 1 gigabyte thumb drive also will be donated with each computer, and the partnership hopes to provide recipients with free access to Internet service in the future.

“This is a great program for some of our greatest children. Computers 4 Kids will give them an opportunity to own a computer to assist them in their academic achievement,” Durham County Commissioner Joe Bowser said in a statement. “Our partnership certainly showcases what happens when agencies work together for a common purpose.”

Deserving students will be referred by the Department of Social Services, school social workers, teachers, tutors or the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. The students must be enrolled in Durham Public Schools and be between 8 and 12 years old, and applications will be fulfilled on a first come, first served basis.

“Children cannot learn at the levels they must without computer access," Superintendent Carl Harris said in a statement. “This is one of countless examples of the strong, mutually supportive and vibrant relationship Durham Public Schools enjoys with Durham County government.”