EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In North Carolina, 23,550 students, 5.24 percent of the state's high school population, dropped out in 2006-07 according to the News and Observer, the biggest number in seven years and a 6 percent increase from 2005-06. Short-term suspensions rose 2.1 percent in over the prior school year and long-term suspensions were up 2.7 percent. High school dropout and delinquency are known precursors to crime and poverty.

North Carolina’s educators are confronted with a broad range of educational challenges. Some students excel while many fail for a variety of reasons including dysfunctional homes, abuse, gangs, and crime. Teachers often do double work as they prepare different lesson plans for students with and without the benefits of a home computer. Yet, drop-out rates continue to increase. Over the four year period, some student groups experience drop out rates as high as 50% (while prison construction plans make headlines!).

Millions of tax dollars and innumerable wasted lives are involved in this complex societal conundrum. Access to computers have been shown to reduce the dropout rate, but their cost has been prohibitive for far too many. The Purple Elephant Computer Factory for Kids offers an affordable alternative, the $100 refurbished desktop. Will a computer in every home provide incentive, an alternative to the gang activity that now appears so attractive to our youth? Will an investment of $100 keep a kid in school (and out of prison)? We, the people of North Carolina, desperately need to find out.

“America’s killing fields today are not just in Afghanistan or Iraq. Our children and grand children are killing each other in Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, Fuquay Varina, and Lizard Lick -- over the color of their shirts! Can an alternative to gangs be as simple as owning a home computer?”

David O. Hinton, Captain, US Public Health Service (Retired)

Founder, The Purple Elephant Computer Factory for Kids

PE in the News

Purple Elephant chases away the blues - Rolesville Buzz - April 2010

http://rolesvillebuzz.com/purple-elephant-chases-away-the-blues

Barrel Monster artist builds again ... Charity's creative new draw: Cyberphant - New and Observer 12/21/2009 and North Raleigh News 12/16/2009

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local_state/story/250291.html

http://www.northraleighnews.com/columns/josh_shaffer/story/1957.html

Chavis Heights neighborhood get free Internet access - WRAL Channel 5 - 10/17/2009 - http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6231320/

Nonprofit helps children get computers - WRAL channel 5 - 07/23/2009 - http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/5635754/

Donate your old computer; don't toss it - News and Observer 7/1/2009 http://www.newsobserver.com/business/columnists_blogs/gilster/story/66705.html

Dave Hinton is N&O Tar Heel of the Week - 02/01/2009 http://www.newsobserver.com/news/people/story/42003.html

Cary Rotary Club and Purple Elephant Partner to Provide 44 Computers to Participants of the Cary Family YMCA Y-Learning Program - dBusiness News - 05/01/2008 http://aerospace-defense.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?newsid=157505&type_news=past

Non-profit hosts computer camp for kids - News 14 Carolina - 08/08/2005
http://www.news14.com/Default.aspx?ArID=73066

The Computer Guy - News and Observer - North Raleigh News - 06/03/2005
http://www.northraleighnews.com/white/story/2468405p-8872345c.html

Retiree aims to get kids wired up - News and Observer - North Raleigh News - 12/31/2004
http://newsobserver.com/print/friday/nrn/story/1974575p-8350895c.html

Note: The 06/03/2005 and 12/31/2004 articles have aged off the N&O website. We are working on getting a copy from them. Thank you!

Why Used Computers?

The Purple Elephant Computer Factory for KIDS! becomes the "middle man" to overcome two major problems:

First, many companies and individuals are willing to donate used computers, but they generally do not donate directly to computer beginners because they cannot provide technical support if the computer is inoperable or subsequently fails. Also, donations to individuals may not qualify for tax deductions.

Second, many non-profit agencies would like to provide computers to their clients, but used computers are not an option, for them, because they cannot update old computers and provide the detailed support needed by a beginner. Their emphasis is on using the computers in support of their own programs, not repairing computers. Through Purple Elephant Computer Factory for KIDS!, these agencies receive out-of-the-box, working computers.

Needs:

Funding: Funds are needed to provide software: Windows XP Professional licenses, modems, sound cards, etc.

Used computers, preferably complete systems (P4 1.0Ghz or above can be refurbished). Check here for details.

Dial-up and wireless modems

Hard drives (40Gb and up)

Logistical support, both collection and distribution.

Gifts in Kind

Our Supporters

The Purple Elephant Computer Factory for KIDS! is a work in progress. Several years ago, it became apparent that many organizations needed, and could effectively use, refurbished computers. Because these organizations were not in the computer repair business, their effort to obtain and repair computers was marginal at best and frequently failed. Through Purple Elephant, these organizations will now have access to working computers.