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Westside non-profit recycles unwanted electronics, goods
Parity International, 3600 Sullivant Ave., will host “drive by and drop off” events on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The organization will collect gently used technology, tools, equipment, calculators, phones, clothes, and more. First established in 2005, they provide local, national and international qualified families, schools and charitable organizations with technology in an effort to bridge the digital divide for those who lack the basic tools to educate themselves. In the past they collaborated with The Ohio State University to assist a school in Ghana. In the upcoming year they plan to working with a school in Senegal and have previously assisted in Ecuador. “Our initial mission was just technology when we first started this operation, but when children do not have shoes, we have to begin to look at things holistically,” Executive Director George Fournier said. Qualified individuals, organizations and schools are considered based on the number of children versus the number of tools used to help educate as well as public funding. Letters of intent and requests for proposals are taken into consideration as a qualifying factor. Major donors and supporters in the past have included the American Red Cross and White Castle Systems. “With a core staff of only five individuals, our volunteers are who really help us make this work, we have volunteers from ages 12 to 68-years-old,” Fournier said. Donations are tax deductible and if a business plans to claim a donation for tax purposes, the businesses federal tax identification number should be recorded when the donation is received. For information on Parity International or to schedule an appointment for a pick-up, contact (941) 585-2191 and leave a message.
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