A New Westminster group is looking for more donations to help get digital devices into the hands of folks who need them — and it's offering a brand-new computer as an incentive.
The Lower Mainland Purpose Society is holding a raffle to help encourage donations of devices towards its digital inclusion project.
Lola Ječmenica, the digital inclusion project coordinator, noted the project is being run in partnership with Douglas College and other agencies. It's designed to close the "digital divide" by getting devices, resources and individualized support into the hands of people who need them, she noted in an email to the Record. It accepts donated cellphones, computers (desktop and laptop) and tablets and then refurbishes them to pass on.
Purpose Society launched the digital inclusion project as a pilot in 2020 and has since distributed more than 250 devices in New Westminster. The organization recently received laptops in partnership with the New Westminster Police Department and the Electronic Recycling Association; those have since gone out to families and youth looking to further their employment and education opportunities.
Now it's hoping to encourage folks to donate old devices that may be gathering dust. The premise of the raffle is simple: The more devices you donate, the more raffle entries you receive. The winner gets a touch-screen, all-in-one Acer Veriton computer.
The contest closes Aug. 19. You can take your donations to any drop-off location before then:
- Lower Mainland Purpose Society, 40 Begbie St.
- New Westminster Public Library (main branch), 716 Sixth Ave.
- Century House, 620 Eighth St.
You're asked to ensure that devices are fully logged out of your iCloud and Google accounts before donation.
If you have any questions, you can contact Lola at 604-396-5514 or email [email protected].
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
