Man turns trash into educational treasures

  

March 6, 2007 (WLS) -- Richard Sato salvages discarded computers, repairs them and then donates them to schools and organizations. It's a pastime that pays off through helping others.

After seeing used computers being tossed into a trash bin, Sato realized they deserved a better fate. That's why a number of organizations have computers he salvaged, repaired and donated.

"Well there's so much surplus computers around and people just don't know what to do with them...this really started a lot with Macs cause I've been donating a lot of them to kindergartens," said Sato.

A resident of Evanston Sato regularly browses the city for discarded computers with a potential for usefulness.

"It's very rewarding to see the kids that they having a great time with the computers otherwise they'd been in a trash heap," said Sato.

At the Providence Englewood Charter School four computer rehabbed by Sato are helping students improve their learning skills.

"A lot if our students don't have computers at home so being able to have computers here at school gives them how the computer works...how to manipulate the key board manipulate the mouse," said Angela Johnson Williams.

Often Sato has to dip into his own funds to obtain parts necessary for the repairs.

"There's no money to be made in it, really so it's just for the kids and to see some of the kids have a chance with computers. It means if you don't have the exposure when you're young you won't be able to get a job. You can't even run a cash register," said Sato.

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