A local nonprofit group is asking for the public’s help in recovering several hundred pounds of copper that it planned to recycle, the profits from which would help pay for its operations.
On Thursday morning, volunteers with Computer 4 Kids, which gives free refurbished computers for educational purposes to kids whose families can’t afford one, arrived at their offices, at 2110 First Ave. N., to find a large section of fencing around its lot damaged and nearly three full drums of recyclable copper had been emptied, said Meaghan Kitts, the group’s director.
“We have never had any reason to suspect anyone would steal from our location. … If you don’t know what you are looking at, most people will assume that it is just junk,” she said in an e-mail.
The 200 to 300 pounds of copper would have brought in as much as $850, which C4K hoped to use to build a new classroom. In addition to rebuilding usable computers, the group recycles nonusable materials and provides some training for people on how to use the computers and programs.
“The theft of this recyclable material directly impacts us by setting the construction of our new classroom project back,” Kitts said. “Our plans for the classroom were to include an educational course directed toward 30 to 50 kids and out-of-work parents who have lost their jobs due to the economy.”
The police were called immediately after the theft was discovered and are investigating, but so far little information has turned up. Kitts said local recycling companies have been contacted to keep an eye out. Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call the Billings Police Department at 657-8200.
C4K has been operating since 2001 and gives out about 400 computers each year. Volunteers use any donated computers and related items to build the systems given to kids. They recently moved to their current address after local Rent-A-Wreck owners Kim and Wes Nussbaum donated the front half of their building to the nonprofit.
For more information on Computer 4 Kids, call 294-5427 or visit its website atwww.computers4kidsinmontana.org.
