News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Norman Nonprofit Program Provides Computers to Disabled
With grants and private funding on the decline, the Ambucs program is looking at closing down entirely at the end of May.
Ambucs will have to relocate from their warehouse to a smaller building.
Employees like Ben Rhue do the restoration, including building computers just for kids.By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9
NORMAN, Oklahoma -- A computer is a necessity these days for most of us and a Norman nonprofit knows that and tries to help. Ambucs gives people with disabilities computers, but after 12 years the tough economy could cause the program to crash.
At the Sooner Ambucs office in Norman the computers come and go. Dalton Daugherty came all the way from Bartlesville for his.
"It's pretty cool because this will be my first one," said Daugherty. "I did play on one, my mom's computer, but his will be the first time on my own."
Rebuilding computers for the disabled was the idea of Purcell resident Linda Durbin. After she was diagnosed with MS, she found a computer lifted her spirits.
"And it helped her so much," said Program Director Adri Anne Trammell. "She thought, 'Well, if it helps me this much it's bound to help other people.' So, she started it on that basis."
Over the years businesses and private individuals have filled a warehouse with old computers.
The program has distributed more than 6,000 computers all over Oklahoma. For the people who work there, the rewards are personal.
"I get lots of hugs, some 'God bless yous'" said program employee Suzan Aktensel. "I meet some nice people and I know it connects so many of them to the outside world."
But the future of the Sooner Ambucs computer program is in doubt. The program is going broke, and by the end of the month it will have to vacate the warehouse and move to a smaller building.
"I cry every time I talk about it, so it's pretty sad," Trammell said.
The Sooner Ambucs computer program is still accepting cash donations. Learn more about the program and how you can help.
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