My friend Orion Hill, a long-time member of the Napa Valley Personal Computer Users Group and the driving force behind its Computers-to-Schools program, recently lamented that sometimes the word doesn't get out about the high-quality, refurbished computer equipment his outfit has ready for donation to local schools.

Here's how the NVPCUG's program works. Computers-to-Schools keeps its ears in the air for organizations and businesses that are upgrading computer systems. Orion and his gang swoop in and cart off the reusable equipment.

The equipment comes from long-standing friends of the program, as well as one-time donors, many of whom are local folks.

Once the equipment is set for distribution, Computers-to-Schools lets Napa County school district tech offices know. This is an important first step because the equipment must fit into the existing technology scheme of the districts. After the schools are served, nonprofit organizations can also apply for the refurbished equipment.

"Here's where we run into a problem," Hill confides. "Sometimes educators and support staff at school sites don't find out that high-quality equipment is available or fail to let their district technology departments know they want the gear."

Since I've benefited greatly from the program over the years, receiving scores of computers that I've either installed for various school networks or used for teaching purposes in my Computer Technician Training classes, I enthusiastically support the NVPCUG Computers-to-Schools program. I urge school principals to check with their network specialists and contact their district tech departments to take advantage of this vital program.

Many schools have. In fact, the Napa Valley Unified School District has installed nearly 500 computers from the NVPCUG in district schools, and more than 750 units have found homes throughout the county, in schools from Calistoga to Pope Valley to American Canyon.

The program isn't a cinch to operate. Not only does it take hundreds of volunteer hours of work annually from NVPCUG members, but it also takes some crossing of government regulation minefields.

The NVPCUG, having obtained nonprofit status, has to document the flow of donations to the satisfaction of the IRS, not a mean feat. In addition, the group has to comply with state electronic waste regulations. Fortunately, it places the vast majority of its donations back into service, generating little waste subject to the rules.

One of the amazing aspects of this story is that the NVPCUG and its Computers-to-Schools program have accomplished all this community service with no monetary donations. Aside from the occasional used computer equipment sale, the program thrives on the sweat of its dedicated volunteers and its generous equipment donors.

Recently, the program received several hundred reusable notebook computers, which may still be available. I can't imagine a more useful thing than a stockpile of laptops at hand in school libraries and labs. Here's why administrators should reach out and find out what's available.

If members of our community have reusable equipment available for the Computers-to-Schools program, contact Orion Hill at CTS@nvpcug.org. If you've got time on your hands, you should consider joining the Users Group. It has all kinds of valuable activities connected to using personal computers. Visit www.nvpcug.org to find out more.