Gastown “Hardware Drive” Collects Unused Computers for Non-Profits

(Dec 17, 2007- Vancouver, BC)- In a departure from the traditional holiday food hampers, toy drives and clothing hampers, businesses in Gastown’s tech community decided to have a “hardware drive” to donate their unused hardware to Free Geek, a non-profit that reuses and properly recycles excess computer equipment.

“I thought it would be a fitting way for us to show some generosity during the holidays,” said Jordan Behan, Director of Community Relations for Strutta.com, a tech startup in Gastown. “Plus, I knew it would be great for Free Geek as we all really support what they do.”

Word went out via several blogs, and eventually the idea reached the Gastown Business Improvement Association, prompting an influx of participating business. In total, 28 businesses signed up to donate their unused computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, cables and various other techno gadgets. The rented van was filled to the brim twice over, resulting in over a ton of equipment, most of which is in great working order, that will find new homes at other non-profits after being refurbished by the folks at Free Geek. The Free Geek warehouse and computer thrift store, currently located on East 2nd Ave. will be relocating on the first of January to 1820 Pandora St. in East Vancouver. A team of volunteers staffs the location and handles all of the donated equipment.

Additional info can be found here: http://blog.strutta.com/blog/gastown-hardware-drive-huge-success

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About Strutta: Strutta.com is a top-secret start-up in Gastown that claims they will change the way you look at the internet, but not until they launch publicly at the end of January.

About Free Geek: FREE GEEK is a not for profit community organization that recycles used technology to provide computers, education, internet access and job skills training to those in need in exchange for community service. Free Geek was founded in February 2000 (and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in April 2000) to recycle computer technology and provide low and no-cost computing to individuals and not-for-profit and social change organizations.

Media Contact:

Jordan Behan
Director of Community Relations
Jordan@strutta.com ph. 778-840-8355

Ifny Lachance
Director, Free Geek
ifny@freegekkvancouver.org p. 604-690-7372 (cell)