For some area kids this Halloween, instead of candy, one local business gave away free computers to trick or treaters instead.
Outside the doors of The Geek Group in Grand Rapids Westside, hundreds of costumed kids and their parents lined up a block deep in the hopes of receiving a free desktop computer on Halloween. Geek Group President Chris Boden says the “Computers, not Candy program,” is all about making a difference in the community.
“We are doing this because in our neighborhood one of the single biggest hurdles to education specifically higher education, is simple access to technology. We exist in the community in order to provide resources to people in need.”
For Mother Jennifer Hays, financial restraints prevented purchasing a computer for her two daughters, so she said the new computer couldn’t have come at a better time.
“You know, it’s just amazing. It’s a dream come true. More and more of their homework is online, so it’s nice to have another one in the house that we can work with,” Hays said.
The first 250 trick or treaters walked away with free computers Halloween night. Boden says they will do it again next year, and hope to give away 500.
