Nonprofit News

IndependenceFirst to hold annual computer recycling drive
Milwaukee-based IndependenceFirst, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities with the ability to live independently, will host a computer recycling drive on Saturday, April 16 at its headquarters, 540 S. First St., Milwaukee. The event coincides with Earth Week, and will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“This time of year, a lot of people are doing a spring cleaning of their office or their homes, and a lot of times people don’t know what to do with their old computers,” Carol Voss, marketing director for IndependenceFirst. “This is a great way to give back to the people who need them and at the same time do something good for the earth.”
IndependenceFirst refurbishes old and gently used computers and provides them to individuals in their programs who wouldn’t otherwise be able to get a computer, Voss said.
Computers donated to IndependenceFirst must have a minimum of a Pentium III processor, a 17 inch monitor and at least 256 MB of RAM memory, even though 512 MB is preferred.
“It’s really a win win for everyone,” Voss said. “We have a long waiting list of people in need of computers, and it gives a business or individual the opportunity to “de-clutter” their home or office and safely get rid of additional waste.”
Computers that are brought to the organization go through a strict process that completely wipes out the existing hard drive, Voss said.
“We have a very strict procedure that our staff and pre-qualified volunteers go through,” Voss said. “So strict that we receive computers from government entities and large corporations, no one needs to be worried about security issues, but if they are we have other options for them that would still allow them to donate.”
Companies or individuals worried about security can remove the hard drive of the computers themselves, or request that the hard drive be removed completely and replaced with a new one, Voss said.
According to Voss, computer donations are tax deductible.

Marcus Theatres adds to Reel Movies for Real Needs lineup
Marcus Theatres and Variety Children’s Charity of Wisconsin will show the movie Rio, at North Shore Cinema in Mequon and other select theater locations across the country on Saturday, April 16 as part of its Reel Movies for Reel Needs film series. The series is designed for families of special needs children with autism or other challenges who are
seldom able to attend regular movie showings. All movies in the film series will begin at 10:30 a.m. Rio is an animated comedy adventure featuring Blu, a domesticated Macaw who never learned to fly, living a comfortable life with his owner and best friend Linda. Blu and his owner head to Rio de Janeiro to find Blu’s female counterpart. The “Reel Movies for Real Needs” program creates a comfortable environment for special needs children by offering family films with a lower sound volume and brighter lighting.

Concordia receives another donation for school of pharmacy
Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon has received a $50,000 donation from the Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation of Manitowoc. The new building is scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer. This is the third donation the West Foundation has donated in two years. 
“We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the West Foundation in helping make CUW’s contribution to alleviating the critical healthcare workforce shortage of pharmacists in Wisconsin,” said Curt Gielow, executive dean of the new school.
The Genesis class of 71 pharmacy students began coursework last fall in a temporary location on Concordia’s Mequon campus and will take occupancy of the new building, along with Pharmacy School faculty and staff, in fall 2011. Next year’s incoming class will consist of 80 pharmacy students. Concordia’s School of Pharmacy is only the second pharmacy school in the state and will fill an increased shortage of pharmacists in Wisconsin.

- Advertisement -

Nominations sought for 2011 Woman of Faith Award
Milwaukee-based Sisters of the Divine Savior are accepting nominations for its 2011 Woman of Faith Award. The award recognizes a woman who lives out her faith through service in order to enrich the lives of people in need.
Past recipients include: Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel, which has grown into a worldwide post-abortion healing ministry; retired Justice Janine P. Geske, for her work to sustain restorative justice processes in the community; and MacCanon Brown, executive director of Repairers of the Breach, a daytime shelter in Milwaukee’s central city that strives to lift people out of homelessness.
The 2011 award recipient will be honored at a public reception in October. Nominations will be accepted through May 27. For more information call Jan Penlesky at 414-466-7414 or email penleskyj@salvatoriansisters.org. Guidelines and nomination form are available at www.sistersofthedivinesavior.org.

 

Sign up for the BizTimes email newsletter

Stay up-to-date on the people, companies and issues that impact business in Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin

What's New

BizPeople

Sponsored Content

BIZEXPO | EARLY BIRD PRICING | REGISTER BY APRIL 15TH & SAVE

Stay up-to-date with our free email newsletter

Keep up with the issues, companies and people that matter most to business in the Milwaukee metro area.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy.

No, thank you.
BizTimes Milwaukee