How can I get computers donated to the preschool where I work?

Question

The computers in my Schoo-Age classroom are very old and dont work well. My boss won't buy a new mouse and I cant find any that fit this ancient cpu. My kids miss playing harry potter!!!

Answer 1

thats hard there are some places here that offer nice computer for cheap prices, why doesnt your boss try to apply for a educational money grant.. it should help out the preschool with some money from the goverment if i am correct.

Answer 2

Depending on how long you have the children, they may not need the computers. Playing Harry Potter (while fun I'm sure) doesn't really fit most early childhood ideas of what to do in a preschool classroom. There are so many other things to do with children. The problem is, that when they are playing with the computer, they are not interacting with you - and that interaction should be a big part of what they do while at preschool. And these days, most children have computers at home in their families so it's not that they don't get the experience.
I wonder whether the parents realize that the children are playing computer games instead of learning with the teacher during preschool.

Answer 3

Knock together a few A4 sized posters (at home, or at a local library or somewhere) to display in places like your local shops + for the kids to take home, see if their relatives have any going spare.

Also, try sending a letter to the local newspaper about the situation, and someone might come to the rescue.

If it's the way the mouse moves, rather than the actual buttons or the wire.... try removing the bit at the bottom and cleaning up the ball inside + the rollers inside where it sits, as that often causes them to mess up and people to replace them when it isn't necessary.

Try organising a Fundraising event with the help of parents, for comparatively little money you should be able to pick-up a Barebones system (just have to add an operating system to it) for something like $200/£200 at it should just hook up to the old monitor if that still works ok (my Compaq 151FS monitor has a build date of November 1995, and still going strong (despite the fact these days I usually have it on for 20hrs straight non-stop).

Answer 4

The best way is to recruit your parents... put up a sign asking for donations of computers. There is usually someone who is updating their computers at home, and since you can't "turn them in" for another computer, most people just get rid of them. The local library is a good place to check too... they often update their systems. Also check any retailers who have computers... video stores, cell phone stores, book stores, computer repair stores, office buildings (health centers, doc's offices) You can also ask local retailers (such as Walmart) for a donation. Walmart is a great resource because they have local donations that they like to do for the community they are in. You can also do a fundraiser to raise funds... get the parents together and figure out what type you would like to do. Often, if you offer a service for the donations, you will get a good turnout. Also, if you have a "hook", like your center serves children with special needs, or you have children who are from low income families, that sometimes helps get donations. Be creative... you don't have to just get money from your center- draw from the community resources around you!

Answer 5

Solicit any local businesses in your area. If there's an IBM plant nearby they usually like to donate. Also try Dell Computers on line. They may have some refurbished ones they are willing to give away. Appeal to a celebrity somehow. I know Bette Midler has been involved in this kind of thing. Try "While You Were Out" TV show also.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Check with a local computer repair place, I know that several in our are accept donated working equipment that they then pass on to schools. If no one has this program try to convince them to start one!

Also Freecycle.com is a terrific resource. Sometimes what you get is not worth the effort but MANY times it is!

Answer 7

Check with churches ( outreach programs), Goodwill, and The Salvation Army. Put want ads on the computer in your area.

Answer 8

you can have a fundraiser to earn money to buy you a new computer and maybe that will help. you can have car washes ( in the summer ) and lots of other things.

Answer 9

you are able to attempt calling interior sight newspapers and radio stations to anounce it. you may make up fliers and positioned them in grocery shops and different customary places around your city. What a great thought!

Answer 10

Try to convince somebody who can give donate.