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Computer Doctors giving back

It's a chance for a child to have a laptop for the holidays.
computerdocs
Members of Computer Doctors have been busy looking over letters from Little Brothers and Little Sisters as part of a contest. Photo by Dennis Chippa.

Sheldon Forgette may be something of a mentor to many youngsters in North Bay.

But the Deputy Mayor also knows how important it is to have a mentor.

Especially, as he puts it, if you grow up without one in your home, as he did.

 “I was a little brother. I have to say it changed my world. Completely changed it.  I had a Big Brother, he brought me to work, he brought me to different things around town to just hang out. He was someone I looked up to, he was someone that gave me advice, someone who guided me in the right direction.

“You are basically a mentor to that little person who doesn’t have that mom or that dad or that bigger brother or sister. They have that ability really to change their life. It worked for me and I’m really thankful for that.”

So Forgette’s company, Computer Doctors, has decided to give back to the program.

One lucky Little Brother or Sister will win a free laptop in time for Christmas.

But, as Big sisters Big Brothers Executive Director Darlene Jamieson says, the child has to earn it through an essay that outlines what a computer in 2016 would do for them.

“They range from age six right up to age 24. So we got a range of letters from little kids that say it would help me with my spelling to my math to play games. Then we have the older youth who are saying it would really help me in university or college, it’s something that my peers have and without having it, it’s a huge barrier for me to overcome.”

Jamieson says the essays she’s seen outline the difficulty the kids may have.

“The children in our program, they do have a lot of barriers to overcome. The first criteria to joining the program is having a single parent. So if you’re a single parent, providing for your family is hard enough let alone coming up with things like computers so he knows that this is a demographic that’s very well-deserving of this kind of a prize.”

Forgette and the other Computer Doctors have been poring over the essays this week, trying to come up with a winner.

While one youngster will be lucky, Forgette says even being part of the organization is a big win.

 “I am happy to do it, and love the program, and I encourage everyone in North Bay to look at becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, it’s super rewarding.”

Meantime, Computer Doctors is about to undertake another charity promotion, this time for the Food Bank.

As Doug Scott, explains, getting your computer fixed can be a win-win.

“We have a Christmas food bank promotion from December 1st to December 21st. If you bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank up to a maximum of three, we’re giving a five dollar discount per food item towards their invoice.”

It will allow you to ensure you have properly working bytes, while providing some bites for those in need.