I've been in the marketing/business for over 10 years in San Francisco and SFBIG has been instrumental in contributing to the ad community. It's a great resource for both agencies, clients and sellers and a way to stay in connection with our ad world in SF. SFBIG has given me the opportunity to stay apprised on the business front for new companies and technologies while also having a great social element for an overall rewarding experience.
For Bay Area kids and schools!
As internet professionals, we all enjoy the benefits of and access to the very latest, cutting-edge technology and computer equipment. That's not the case for everyone in our community, especially kids in our Bay Area public schools and low-income neighborhoods.
Give BIG! is a non-profit partnership between sfBIG, ComputersforClassrooms.org (CFC), Northern California's leading non-profit recycler of PCs for schools, and the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). Our goal is to help get more working computers into Bay Area classrooms.
The Challenge
Computers in our schools are in extremely bad shape — much worse than one might imagine. According to representatives of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), nearly 80% of the District's network of 60,000 computers are close to obsolete. How bad is it? The average computer in our local schools is beige and 8-10 years old! This is an enormous problem, one which is only getting worse as our state's education budgets are further reduced and eliminated.
While this is happening, many of us in the technology business speed ahead to our latest and greatest computer upgrade. As we do, many of our older computers simply find a shelf in our closets, garages or storage rooms. Is that true for you?
Working Together in a BIG Way
sfBIG, ComputersforClassrooms.org and the San Francisco Unified School District are working together to bridge the divide between our school kids in need and that computer your store room closet.
Here's how it works:
- sfBIG and CFC are collecting computer donations in our area, refurbishing them and providing like-new computers back to Bay Area Schools.
- SFUSD is working closely with both sfBIG and CFC to specify computer equipment needs and prioritize placements within their school and community center network.
- sfBIG members and friends can donate computer equipment and/or make monetary contributions to fund the purchase of like-new computers.
How You Can Help
This process starts with you and your contribution. There are two easy ways you can help:
- Donate your old computers to GIVE BIG.
Remember, what's old to you maybe very, very new to someone else. Most anything you have that is in working condition can be put to use somewhere in SFUSD's huge network of schools and community centers. - Make a monetary contribution to GIVE BIG / ComputersforClassrooms.org.
CFC offers low-cost computers (as low as $95-$125 per machine) to schools and families in low-income areas of California. Consider making an individual or corporate donation to help us rebuild this vital piece of the Bay Area's digital highway.