Volunteers from Lenovo will work side-by-side with students from several Triangle area schools at the Kramden Institute over three days this week to refurbish PCs and at the same time share workplace experiences.
The Kramden Institute, a non-profit charitable group based in Durham, works with volunteers to refurbish computers and donate them to students in need.
More than 120 Lenovo employees are expected to take part in the sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Students involved will come from the Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy, and middle schools in Orange and Guilford counties.
The program is part of Students@Work Week.
“This will probably be the first time most of these middle school students have ever opened up a computer, much less restored one to working order,” said Michael Abensour, executive director at Kramden. “Students will not only be helping their communities, but by working side-by-side next to Lenovo employees, they will also gain a better understanding of the exciting workplace opportunities that exist right here in North Carolina.”
Lenovo is one of Kramden’s biggest supporters.
“This whole week is about putting your education to work. It’s a fantastic opportunity for Lenovo and Kramden to give these students real-life examples of how they can apply what they learn in the classroom to their future endeavors,” said Jay Parker, president of North America, Lenovo. “As a member of the business community in North Carolina, Lenovo is dedicated to advancing our students’ education and providing them with the right opportunities now to help ensure they are ready for work and higher education when they graduate.”
Kramden aims to donate 3,000 computers this year. Since its founding in 2003, the institute has worked with more than 5,500 volunteers to refurbish and donate more than 12,500 computers spread across 60 North Carolina counties.
