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LAPTOPS FOR VETS |
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Laptops For Vets is a program that works in conjunction with the not for profit charity called Work Vessels For Vets and the CSS Family of computer companies.
Work Vessels for Veterans is an all volunteer movement assisting returning veterans begin their civilian careers or educational pursuits by acquiring and distributing the necessary start-up tools. Founded with the gift of a fishing boat beginning a commercial fishing career for a returning Iraq veteran, the Foundation is expanding its outreach to other industries, to assist our returning military. The foundation is currently developing relationships in many industry sectors to secure necessary products for distribution. All donations of products or services are directly distributed to veterans and all financial contributions are used to acquire, prepare or enhance those items to be gifted.
The biggest request we get from our heroes is the need for laptop computers. Whether they are for returning to education or to be used in a business environment, they are the number one request. CSS has donated many laptops to this effort and WVFV has also purchased laptops beyond the donations we have received. We are still in need of these computers and are asking for your help.
Computer Systems and Solutions(CSS), owned by Kimberly Crew Erle, has stepped up to offer the services of her family of companies across the United States. Donated laptops will be brought into her facilities and audited, tested and reloaded with software, before being deployed to a returning soldier. If a donation of the laptop computers are not possible, CSS will purchase them at fair market value and put them through the same refurbishing process. All laptops will have a complete Dept. of Defense data scrub performed on them. A Certificate of Indemnification will be provided back to you, for the release of liability for the computer.
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WHO IS LAPTOPS FOR VETS? |
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ABOVE: WVFV members Ted Knapp, John Niekrash and Dave Mason present laptop computers to returning soldiers at the in a joined effort with the Connecticut Dept. of Labor. BELOW: Group Photo of all Vets, Dept of Labor Staff and WVFV members.
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We are looking for corporate donations of laptops. CSS and WVFV are available to come to your facility and make a presentation of just how the entire process takes place. WVFV is a registered 501 ( c) (3) charity organization and all donations are 100% tax deductable.
We can make it a PR event and have a ceremony at you company location with media coverage or you may choose to do this anonymously. We can accommodate all levels of recognition that you might prefer. |
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HOW CAN YOU HELP THIS EFFORT |
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Individual Laptop Donations Please send individual laptop donations to the address below. Please include a return address so we can get you the paperwork back for your tax records.
WVFV 28 Lagoon Drive West Brick, NJ 08723
If you have any questions regarding this process, please call 732-674-2860 and speak with Ted Knapp |
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Large Corporate Donations CSS & WVFV would come to your location and review the procedure with you. We have a short presentation of what WVFV is currently doing for all of our heroes. We will also cover the entire technical procedure with you as will the certificates you will be receiving back for your liability protection and tax records. CSS has over ten years in the laptop computer decommissioning industry with a stellar reputation. CSS is also a Green Recycling company. The corporate headquarters for CSS is located at:
CSS 50 West Powhattan Avenue Essington, PA 19029 732-674-2860
www.cssnow.com www.greentchnologyrecycling.com
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ALL RETURNING SOLDIERS IN NEED OF LAPTOPS SHOULD GO TO WVFV WEBSITE AND FILL OUT THE VETERANS APPLICATION www.workvesselsforvets.org
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ABOVE: Ted Knapp, Richard Giguere, AnnLiguori and John Niekrash BELOW: Ted Knapp & Kimberly Crew Erle working the awareness booth and a Dave Mason concert |
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The story of John Niekrash and that of the group he founded in 2007, is an impressive one. A lifelong lobsterman by profession (and himself a non-veteran,) who was at the time in the market for a new boat, Niekrash decided he’d like to donate his old vessel, the Krasher III to a veteran from one of those wars.
Inspired by the story of Justin Clough of Stonington, who was severely injured Iraq in 2006 and whom he had heard speak at a charity golf tournament, Niekrash contacted the publication, the Commercial Fisheries News, offering to donate the vessel to the first veteran who contacted him. He had only one stipulation – that the recipient promise that the boat be used solely for the purpose of making a living. Niekrash eventually donated the boat to Marine Reservist Richard Giguere, a two-tour veteran of the Iraqi war; he today actively works the vessel in Rhode Island’s Narragansset Bay.
Not long after that first donation, “people from other walks of life told me they’d like to help too,” Niekrash remembers. Among them were Kathleen Burns (general manager of Noank Shipyard, Inc, where Work Vessels for Veterans is headquartered), Ted Knapp, and Dave Mason. They also helped set the organization’s direction.
“Ted (Knapp) asked me why the vessel had to be a boat,” Niekrash explains. He said, “Why couldn’t we provide other vessels, or other methods of assistance to our returning veterans, something like a laptop, or a tractor or a truck “- which was true. Ted also said “we need to not just give the vets a hand, but a hand up.”
That’s how the laptop aspect took shape. Earlier this year. Knapp and Kimberly Crew of Computer Systems and Solutions of Philadelphia, PA and GTR, a firm specializing in purchasing and refurbishing the devices, also became involved and donated laptops.
John and Ted have been traveling the US promoting awareness for the foundation for the last year. Dave Mason has made WVFV a part of every concert and interview he does. Our goal has been to promote what we are doing and get the word to as many returning veterans as possible. WVFV is currently seeking additional financial contributions. Until recently, it has been totally funded by Niekrash and Knapp.
“As more and more troops are coming home, the need for laptops and other requested items has exceeded our financial capabilities. We want to do more, we just cant without public and corporate support,” said Knapp.
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The picture below was taken the day that John, Dave and Ted discussed what John had started and agreed to take it to the limit for our heroes and say ‘THANK YOU’ in their own way. |
