10,000 Computers – and Still Going Strong!
This month is all about how our Technology Access Program (TAP) just reached an unbelievable milestone – refurbishing and repurposing 10,000 computers! Certainly, a milestone that was unimaginable when the TAP program was conceived in 2007.
TAP was envisioned by Warren Sanders, a pillar in our club, and over the past 15 years his leadership has taken TAP to a level that makes us all shake our heads in disbelief. Not that we didn’t believe in Warren, or the many other volunteers who’ve been instrumental in TAP’s success…but disbelief that this community outreach program would ever be so successful and touch the lives of so many children and families in counties surrounding Tellico Village.
TAP intakes computers from many sources – Tellico Village residents who are upgrading to a new computer, and companies and organizations (local and national) who donate their old computers instead of recycling them. Through the efforts of many volunteers who put each donated system through a rigorous refurbishment process of cleaning (both digitally and physically), testing, and re-installing the operating system, the finished computers are readied for their new homes. This effort was especially important during the pandemic when children were forced into remote learning environments. Many of them didn’t have computers at home and TAP was able to fill a huge void in the education system and in the lives of these children.
The 10,000th computer was one of several donated to the Sols Write House Empowerment Center in Knoxville, an organization that helps children in the local area. This, and many other similar organizations, especially local schools, have been the primary recipients of TAP’s work over the years. With recently increased government funding for educational computers in federal schools, we thought the TAP program might start slowing down, but that’s hardly been the case…it’s still going strong!
I know I speak for all the volunteers in our club, as well as our many members, in thanking everyone connected with TAP for the amazing work they do that impacts so many children and families. And Warren, we especially thank you for your vision and leadership of this program during the past 15 years.
Larry McJunkin, President
Tellico Village Computer users Club