By Shannon K. Jones
Staff Reporter
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BAY MILLS - Various organizations throughout Chippewa County now have their own computer printing capabilities as the tribe received 629 refurbished 3-in-1 computer printers on behalf of Dell, Inc., and Gifts in Kind International on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The printers are being distributed to schools and local organizations that previously qualified for them based upon a status of nonprofit.
The donations came through the Gifts in Kind program, designed to place technology in areas that may otherwise be without. Bay Mills Community College's Gifts in Kind program of Bay Mills began distributing the printers on Aug. 18. Nine area high schools as well as the tribe's 29 charter schools will receive printers as well as other local organizations. The printers have a retail value between $79 and $159.
According to BMCC President Mick Parish, BMCC grant writer Kathy Adair is responsible for doing the legwork to get the donation.
Adair said she originally sent the paperwork away last year and, in April of this year, she received word the printers would be en route within a month. While they may have shown up behind schedule, everyone receiving the donation didn't seem to mind as one-by-one people showed up to collect the devices.
According to Adair, not all printers have been spoken for. Local nonprofit organizations that wish to acquire one should contact her at BMCC, 906-248-3354.
"What is left will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis," said Adair, who has reached out to organizations making them aware of the program.
Gifts in Kind, a leading product philanthropy charity, has a network of more than 200,000 charitable nonprofit organizations in the world. The organization is the third largest charity in the United States. Top manufacturers, such as Dell, Inc., rely upon Gifts in Kind to design and manage their donation practices.
Gifts in Kind operates internationally and distributes Dell printe
