Local organization hosts community laptop drive for education

PHOENIX — The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation is partnering with other organizations to get devices in the hands of students this school year with a community laptop drive for education.

People and businesses are being asked to donate laptops, Chromebooks, netbooks, iPads and chargers they no longer need to one of 17 Data Doctors Valley locations.

A curbside, contactless delivery process for the drop-off of the device has been developed by Data Doctors for safety. People are being asked to call the location and arrange a time to leave the device outside the store’s door.

The company will wipe the hard drive and refurbish the laptop for distribution to K-12 students, according to the website.

Data Doctors will also accept non-working devices as well, and people have the choice to keep their hard drive and just donate the laptop.

Money can also be donated toward the cost of buying devices here.

The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation is piloting the program with the Phoenix Union High School District for the first 100 devices, with plans to expand the program to other school districts after.

Parents whose children require devices need to ask their teacher to connect with the Maricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson’s office as the foundation does not have the ability to meet individual parent or teacher requests.

The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation said on its website the goal of the laptop drive is to ensure students have access to the tools they need to learn while being away from school amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Those with questions can contact the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation at (602) 402-7323.

Follow @KTAR923