05/14/2003

By MARY WILLS / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

A Friday afternoon phone call transformed Aimee Gross' life.

Unemployed after 14 years in the child-care industry, Ms. Gross needed new skills. As a single mother with two grade-school sons, she dreamed of knowing how to type and work on a computer.

One problem: She did not have a computer and couldn't afford one. Fortunately, with the help of two caring individuals, Ms. Gross recently received a refurbished computer.

The phone call came from Geegee Thorn, a teacher and coordinator of the mentoring program at Mendenhall Elementary School in East Plano.

"I had no hope of getting a computer, and I really wanted my boys to have one for schoolwork and to play educational games, instead of watching television," Ms. Gross said. "Getting this computer has opened a new window to my world and my kids' world. It has been the best thing."

"Five years ago, I tried to refurbish old computers myself because I saw so many families that needed one," Ms. Thorn said. "But I had to stop because it was too much for me to do on my own."

It was not until last year that Ms. Thorn read an article about Warren Harris. His organization, Foundation for Uniting Technology with Recipients Inc., based in Plano, has two main goals: "To provide computers to those who otherwise might never have them and to keep as many computers as possible out of the landfill."

Ms. Thorn contacted Mr. Harris, and since then more than 50 families have received a fully rebuilt computer system.

"I got the call from Ms. Thorn on a Friday during spring break," Ms. Gross recalled. "She asked if I wanted a free computer. I could not believe it and just knew there would be strings attached. Ms. Thorn said all I had to do was go pick it up at a shop in Plano. And first thing Saturday morning, that's just what I did."

Ms. Gross took her son Garrett with her to Mr. Harris' business, Computer Wizard, off Independence Parkway and 15th Street, to pick up her computer.

"I was in tears walking out with it, and Garrett looked up at me and said, 'I love you, Mom,' " Ms. Gross said. "It was the best moment ever. It is really nice that people do this."

"Eighty-six percent of computer waste is tossed into the landfills. This is a huge amount of debris that is bad for the environment. One monitor contains five to seven pounds of lead," Mr. Harris said. "When that ends up in a landfill, it gets pounded down and the lead seeps into the water table.

"Within the coming year, 30,000 computers will become obsolete," he said. "There are lots of families who need computers. The more we can recycle and use, the better off we are."

"We like to give the family a whole system: monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer and speakers," Mr. Harris said.

Lately, Mr. Harris has been trying to set up military families with free restored computers to enable them to keep in touch with family members overseas. He has two family members in the military based outside the United States and realizes the need for communication.

"It makes it all worthwhile when you can work with a family and know the end recipients," he said.

Ms. Gross has definitely benefited. She is working on her typing and solving the mysteries of a computer.

"It has sure changed my life and has been absolutely wonderful for me and the kids," she said. "My son said one morning, 'When I come home from school, Mom, I'm going to see what you learned today.' And I do learn something new every day."