(fwd) Computer Non-Profit Suspends Operations

I hope this isn't too late. Some of you in this area may get lucky and find some old stuff amongst the wreckage. -- forwarded message -- News Release Please Route/Distribute. (Photo/Interview Opportunities available -- see contact information below) Minneapolis based Non-Profit Computer Recycler to Re-organize ============================================== Will Temporarily Suspend Operations on August 31st Minneapolis, August 12, 1998 - Minneapolis-based DRAGnet, a non-profit computer recycler, will temporarily suspend all recycling, placement and technical operations on August 31st, 1998 due to a planned re-organization. An unplanned warehouse lease termination will also force a facilities re-location. As a result, DRAGnet will temporarily discontinue computer equipment donation acceptance or collection by Noon on Saturday, August 15th, 1998 until further notice. DRAGnet management also announced today that loss of its warehouse facilities will require a series of liquidation events before the end of this month. "Garage Sales" of all acquired computer equipment will be held each Thursday and Friday afternoon from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at their current warehouse location of 1100 Van Buren Street NE (approximately one block northwest of the Broadway and Central Avenue intersection). Proceeds will be used to retire debt and partially fund the re-location and re-organization. DRAGnet is the nation's largest EPA-licensed non-profit computer recycling operation. Even with service demand at record levels, DRAGnet management had targeted the end of 1998 as a period of re-assessment because of lagging funding support. The lease issue arose unexpectedly and will result in forcing the re-organization to begin several months earlier than anticipated. The re-organization plan involves examining the funding base for continued and expanded operations as well as addressing other organizational financial and staff issues. DRAGnet recycling programs have enjoyed enormous success in recent years including twice being publicly identified as "the national model that should be copied" by leading national non-profit and recycling sources. Despite the call for replication, funding from outside sources has lagged well behind the demand for service expansion. After recycling operations are temporarily suspended on August 31st, the DRAGnet Board of Directors will devote several months to examining various organization options and opportunities. This will include expanding and, potentially, replacing existing board members, exploring strategic alliances with area non-profits, secure funding resource commitments and/or, perhaps, discontinuing selected service programs if adequate funding sources are not identified. In addition to recycling over 12,000 computers each year, DRAGnet has rebuilt and placed thousands of refurbished computers throughout Minnesota and the United States. People with disabilities, low-income families, schools and churches have been the primary beneficiaries. DRAGnet currently has no individual, foundation or corporate financial supporters. - ### - Contact: Gordon Gillesby 1100 Van Buren Street NE Minneapolis, MN 55413-1537 612/378.9796 612/378.9794 (fax) www.dragnet.org info(a)dragnet.org -- end of forwarded message --