Problem

Students must now shelter at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic and distance learning indefinitely. While the school districts are providing chromebook loaners to kids, there are not always enough to go around and they are in fact loaners. It was evident this program was needed prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it's even clearer now.

While I think all types of donations are important, I especially want to emphasize our current and most important need is cash donations. The school district has offered to put the word out and handle sign-ups for students in need if we can reach a solid donation amount and are ready to hand lots of computers out. So far we’re at only $600 and hence 3 laptops donated. Looking to grow this number.

Solutions

K-12 Students in Santa Cruz County who demonstrate evidence of need (see sign up form for documents we need for qualification), are eligible to receive a computer (either a Mac OS 10.11+, or a PC with Windows 10). Computers will support Zoom video conferencing, Google Chrome and GSuite, and the ability to go online, and will be set up with parental controls and security.

Long term

While it is our goal to ​donate 100 computers to local K-12 students​ who otherwise do not have access to a computer, through this pandemic, we would like to make this an established program long term in Santa Cruz county and help students who won't have a computer, even after the chromebooks will need to be returned, and kids are back to school in classrooms.

Call to action

In order to make this program possible, we are asking the community for both donations of either money or old laptops (2008 and above). For every $200, we will donate 1 fully upgraded computer, complete with a new SSD hard drive, maxed out on ram, a new battery, and a new

OS install. Donations from the community will defray the total cost of parts and labor and allow this program to succeed!

For equipment drop-offs, you can make an appointment by calling us at the Santa Cruz Tech Exchange, 831-600-8915, and schedule a curbside drop-off or local pickup. For monetary donations, please follow the link below to our website and GoFundMe. https://santacruztechexchange.com/pages/donation-program

If you have a student you would like to register for this program, please click on the register link on our website and fill out the form. https://santacruztechexchange.com/pages/donation-program

Please note, this is not currently a tax deductible donation since we are a business. We are simply hoping to help kids in our community.

About us

Santa Cruz Tech Exchange is a small locally owned computer, pro audio, Dj, Lightning sales, rental and repair retailer located on the westside of Santa Cruz in the Palm Center. We are currently open from 12-5 for phone and online orders, and for repair drop offs and pickup. Visit us at 1715 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, give us a call at 831-600-8915, or online at: https://santacruztechexchange.com/