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Turning old tech into new tech
FOX 13's Kim Kuizon highlights The Refurb Group, a Sarasota group that has refurbished more than 22,000 computers, saving 70 tons from ending up in the Sarasota landfill.
SARASOTA, Fla. - The work happening inside the Sarasota Technology Users Group gives a second life to old and outdated laptops and desktop computers.
"We’ve got a lot of computers donated that would be sitting in somebody’s closet or shelf," said Art Keckeissen, a volunteer with the group.
Around 10 volunteers work inside the building off of Sawyer Road in Sarasota on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They’re called the "Refurb Group."
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"We work with every brand of computer and if we can’t use it, we scrap it, but we take out the memory and hard disk, things that we can use," said Doug Weiss, another volunteer with the group.
Each volunteer has their own reason for getting involved.
"This gives you something, and it’s good exercise of the mind, because everything is different, and it’s not the same old thing," said Keckeissen.
Since 2002, the group has been able to save 70 tons of computers from ending up in the Sarasota landfill. Computers are donated by community members, schools and even county entities.
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"The other reason is for me to take something that was going to go in the trash and save it," said Michael Hutchinson, who is also a volunteer.
Dr. Saul Lowitt views the group as his own social club.
"I’m 90 years old and to feel useful is the most important thing in my life," he said.
All agree there is one reason why they volunteer their time with the group.
"I have fixed 570 computers which are given to people who can’t pay for them," said Lowitt.
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Since they started, the Refurb Group has been able to fix more than 22,000 computers. They’re then given at no charge to those who can’t afford one.
The group has helped students, families and countless non-profits from Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.
"The feeling when somebody arrives, and they ask ‘how much do we owe,’ and we say ‘nothing,’ and they almost cry going out the door," said Bill Crowe, another volunteer.
Their work never ends.
"It makes me feel good, because we are providing them to kids, to students, to people who just need to be online. Everybody needs to be online now," said Weiss.
The Refurb Group is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. To learn more about how to donate or receive a computer, click here.
You can drop off a donation at 3949 Sawyer Road in Sarasota.
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