District 203 refurbishes computers for students

No one knows a high school student's needs like a high schooler, and tops on that list is likely to be access to a computer.

Not every family has the financial means to make that a reality, though, which is one of the driving forces behind the Naperville Unit District 203 Computer Redeployment Program.

For the past four summers, high school students have volunteered their time alongside area technology experts to refurbish laptop computers the district no longer uses. Those computers are then given to families that cannot afford a computer at home for as long as the student remains in the district.

Excess computers are sold to the public to raise money for the Naperville Education Foundation.

To date, the program has allowed the district to distribute 535 computers to less-fortunate students and has raised $163,000 for the foundation. Organizers estimate another 200 computers will be distributed and $20,000 more will be raised this year.

Richard Stompanato, owner of ARDS Services in Naperville, heads the effort with district staff members to collect about 750 laptop and desktop computers from 22 buildings.

“Logistically it's a huge undertaking, but I'm a small-business owner and I believe in giving back to the community,” he said. “And being in the technology business, I've seen what technology can do for kids. Without working technology in today's world, the ability of our children to succeed is hampered.”

Naperville North Senior Jake Carducci, 17, learned about the program right around the time he decided it was time to increase his volunteer hours.

“I've had a steady interest in computers for a while, and I'd done well in a class I was taking, so helping with this program seemed like a perfect fit,” Carducci said. “Everyone should have the opportunity to have a computer, so I'm happy to help try and make it easier.”

Once the computers are collected, supervisors and about a dozen student volunteers spend several weeks sorting, testing, cleaning, refurbishing, loading a fresh copy of Windows, repairing the nonfunctional computers, managing the entire inventory and packing up all of the computers for storage until they are distributed to students in late August. The remaining units will be sold Sept. 10 at Mill Street Elementary School, 1300 N. Mill St.

The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 10 and preorders are being taken online.