With the click of a mouse, some families in Virginia Beach got an early holiday gift: a free computer.
It's part of a statewide program called "Virginia Star."
High School students at the Advanced Technology Center in Virginia Beach took old government computers from a warehouse in Richmond, rebuilt and refurbished them, and gave them to local families.
"It's really a win win all the way around, the kids from the ATC are here tonight to tutor families, so it's a real learning experiences, they are able to be supported at home by their parents," said Melissa McQuarrie of Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Computers that were once on their way to a landfill are now on their way into a deserving home.
Complete with hundreds of dollars in upgrades, including flashdrives and software donated from sponsors.
"It's an honor and a blessing to be receiving this computer tonight," said Robyn Wiggins, who received one of the new computers.
Robyn's daughter is a third grader at Lynnhaven Elementary School who never imagined she'd be getting a computer for Christmas.
"Because computers are fun and I always wanted a computer so I can copy things and draw pictures and so I don't have to go all the way to the library and do it," said Shishamani Wiggins, Robyn's daughter.
Her little brother is in kindergarten and has his own plans for his family's new computer.
"Play Nickelodeon!"
The families say they can't say "thanks" enough.
"We're really trying to equip the families with the tools they needs to have to be real supporters of their children's academic expreience," said McQuarrie.
It's part of a statewide program called "Virginia Star."
High School students at the Advanced Technology Center in Virginia Beach took old government computers from a warehouse in Richmond, rebuilt and refurbished them, and gave them to local families.
"It's really a win win all the way around, the kids from the ATC are here tonight to tutor families, so it's a real learning experiences, they are able to be supported at home by their parents," said Melissa McQuarrie of Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Computers that were once on their way to a landfill are now on their way into a deserving home.
Complete with hundreds of dollars in upgrades, including flashdrives and software donated from sponsors.
"It's an honor and a blessing to be receiving this computer tonight," said Robyn Wiggins, who received one of the new computers.
Robyn's daughter is a third grader at Lynnhaven Elementary School who never imagined she'd be getting a computer for Christmas.
"Because computers are fun and I always wanted a computer so I can copy things and draw pictures and so I don't have to go all the way to the library and do it," said Shishamani Wiggins, Robyn's daughter.
Her little brother is in kindergarten and has his own plans for his family's new computer.
"Play Nickelodeon!"
The families say they can't say "thanks" enough.
"We're really trying to equip the families with the tools they needs to have to be real supporters of their children's academic expreience," said McQuarrie.
