Local cops knocked on dozens of doors today to give free computers to families in need.
Retired Tulsa police officer Karen Ford runs PC Power, the nonprofit behind the giveaway. She said this is the North Pole Computer Project’s 12th year running.
"This day and age, you can't live without a computer," Ford said. "Kids need it for homework, need it to help learn. We've got some educational games on here, especially for the younger children."
Retired TPD officer Glenn DeWeese started the project in 2003. Ford took charge when he passed away.
Officers from Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Cherokee and Osage nations and Jenks schools delivered around 60 computers. Families receiving the computers often have kids who get free or reduced-cost lunches at school.
PC Power refurbishes machines donated by businesses and collected at a few household collection events.
"We check them, make sure they're up to our specifications, make sure they run OK," Ford said. "We clean the hard drive. We add another operating system on top of it. We've got some volunteers that have made this possible."
Ford estimated PC Power has given away around 1,000 computers over the years, helping about 2,000 kids.
