Free Computers Help Seabee Families Keep in Touch

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Through the efforts of Operation Homelink, personnel stationed at Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, were able to receive 100 free, refurbished computers.

The PCs, which are valued at more than $30,000, were given away during a four-hour period Oct. 28 to military families impacted by Hurricane Katrina, particularly those who have a service member preparing to deploy overseas.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for our troops who suffered loss,” said Cmdr. Rodney Duggins, supply officer at the Seabee base. Northrop Grumman, one of the government’s largest providers of information technology systems and services, donated all 100 computer systems.

Each command on base was allocated a percentage of the computers, based on the command’s size. A master list of eligible personnel was generated, and each service member had only to fill out an application form before picking up a computer station.

“It’s amazing,” said Storekeeper 1st Class Frisly Garcia of the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment. “For the kids at home, it’s the best thing we’ve ever had. We can use it for our daughter to do homework, too.”

While most service members have access to e-mail on ships or other remote outposts, the situation often is different for their families back home.

So far Operation Homelink has been able to successfully link more than 1,100 families with their troops overseas. Spouses or parents of troops within the junior-level pay grades of E-1 to E-5 are eligible to receive donated computers.

Operation Homelink’s technology partners provide professional refurbishment services and ensure existing information is wiped clean from the computers’ hard drives. The computers then are tested, reloaded with new operating systems and modems, and shipped in bulk to the selected base.

Although Operation Homelink is unable to accept individual requests for a computer, the organization works with corporations such as Northrop Grumman, who decide which base they would like to support.

“This is a great way to help military families, as well as hurricane victims,” said Dan Shannon, founder and president of Operation Homelink. Businesses wanting to help support local military communities with donations of computers should visit www.operationhomelink.org, Shannon added.

Operation Homelink, a non-profit organization, was founded three years ago in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The program is based in Chicago.

For related news, visit the Commander, 1st Naval Construction Division Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/1ncd/.