Gerry Davis doesn't have much, but what he does have is time and computer skills. That's why he's decided to fix up old computers and donate them to people in need.
"My wife and I, we know what it's like to be low income, to not have $600 to spend on a computer for our kid," he told me. "It's my way to help out those who are in a situation that I've been in."
Davis thought about his computer refurbishing program a few months ago, but at first he didn't get much of a response. Earlier this month he tried again, offering his services on Revy Sell.
The donations started coming in and quickly going out to people in need.
"I got four complete systems donated that I went through, reinstalled the operating system, and made sure they worked," he told me. "Three have left the house and one is waiting to be picked up."
One went to a young couple with kids who couldn't afford a second computer. Two have gone to single mothers.
"I have three or four other people waiting for systems," Davis said. "I'm just waiting for further donations to come in."
Davis is a self-taught computer tech. He started playing with them about 15 years ago, without much success at first.
"The first few computers I built I fried, and it's been going on from there," he said.
Now, he'll find old machines at the Thrift Store or salvage material at the bottle depot. He says he can build up a computer from parts.
"These are things that are still usable. They may not be usable to the person that had them because they're outdated, but these systems still have a lot of life in them," he said. "It bugs me knowing these computers still have life left in them and that somebody can get use out of them."
For his program, Davis is willing to take anything. "At this point I'm willing to take laptops, netbooks, anything that somebody can get a use out of so that they can connect with other people through the internet," he said.
If you have a computer to donate or are looking for a computer, call Davis at 250-814-3242.