Computers donated to BCCTC by New York businessman

By Andre Jones | February 6, 2014 11:32 am

Mrs. Lupita Gaines and Mr. Vincent Gaines Sr. (at left) are assisted by Bridging Community staff members unloading computers onto carts. At far right, Mrs. Paula Canaday, IT instructor, checks inventory of the computers.

Last November, Bridging Communities Career and Technical Center in New Kent donated 20 refurbished computers to needy New Kent Middle School students. Now, that generosity has come full circle for the second school year.

Vincent Gaines Sr. and his wife, Lupita, both King William residents, donated 65 computers to the Bridging Communities Career and Technical Center on Jan. 27. Gaines, who is president and CEO of the New York based firm Enhanced Customer Care Solutions, drove with his wife from New York to personally deliver the computers.

“He wanted to be involved after he heard about what the center was doing for students,” said Dr. Stephen Trexler, director of Bridging Communities. “It’s really neat that he came down here to deliver all these computers.”

Plans are for the computers to be refurbished by BCCTC gaming and web-design students. After the process is complete, Trexler said the computers would be donated to Third Union Baptist Church in King William for the church’s after school program, and to children in King and Queen County as part of its “Bridging the Gap” program. Restoration of the computers is part of Bridging Communities Virginia Student Training and Refurbishment Program (VA STAR) that focuses on providing students and families who need the devices the most.

Superintendent of schools Dr. Rick Richardson said the generous donation from the Gaines family was something unexpected and much needed.

“[Mr. Gaines] is a very nice guy and a business conscious man,” said Richardson. “Receiving these computers as a gift was like receiving manna from heaven.”

Bridging Communities is in its second year of existence and its first year of full day programs. The school is one of 14 Governor’s STEM academies and serves students of New Kent, Charles City, King William, Middlesex, and King & Queen counties.