Metlife geeks refurbish computers for kids

Eighty Raleigh-area school children each took home a newly refurbished desktop computer over the weekend

NEW YORK, USA: In a partnership with the Kramden Institute, and supported by a $25,000 grant from MetLife Foundation, over 250 MetLife employees took part in a “Geek-A-Thon” event, refurbishing 311 computers, and loading them with an Ubermix operating system and the latest in educational software.

Eighty of the refurbished computers were donated to Raleigh-area school children. The rest will go to the Kramden Institute to be donated as needed. .

Raleigh-area teachers nominated students they felt would benefit the most. Half of the students who received computers on Saturday are children of veterans and active service members in North Carolina.

“MetLife’s Global Technology and Operations organization is proud to help North Carolina students access computer technology in their homes. Through efforts like this, we hope to inspire the next generation of technology professionals in the Triangle,” said Jim O’Donnell, MetLife’s Chief Technology Officer, Global Technology and Operations.

The Geek-A-Thon was an employee-driven initiative, which grew from a volunteer effort that one of MetLife’s employees started with Kramden in 2013, explained the announcement. “We’re excited to be able to come to work and give back to members of the local community, especially the families of veterans, who have already given so much for us,” said Don Rowe, Vendor Relationship Consultant and MetLife volunteer.

Sixth grader, Janey Medina, from Cary, NC, has big plans for her new computer: “I can’t wait to start using it,” said the 11 year-old. “We had a laptop at home, but it was very old. With this new one, I’ll be able to start make my own animated videos.” Her equally creative, eight year-old brother, Eli, who also received one of the refurbished computers wants to start designing his own video games.