CIAN will be collecting used and new laptops for the troops and sending them to JDS Computers, a non-profit who will refurbish them and send them to military units overseas. CIAN is also encouraging those who don’t have a laptop to give but want to help to send monetary contributions to Any Soldier®.
As a service disabled Navy veteran, Steve Hope, owner and CEO of CIAN, says that the supporting the troops is a cause near and dear to him and his company.
“Our company’s heart is really with this cause,” Hope said. “A large percentage of the employees in our Peoria office are either former or current members of the military. We know how hard it is to be far away from family for long periods of time. Each laptop is given to a unit in a combat zone and the soldiers in the unit can use them to keep in touch with loved ones and family at home. “
“As a team we are strongly committed to helping those who serve our country including active duty personnel, veterans and organizations such as Any Soldier® and JDS Computers who assist current and former military members.”
Hope says as in the past, his company will also continue sponsoring the Peoria Chiefs’ “Salute to the USA” ball game each summer.
“We work with the Chiefs to provide tickets to the military and honor someone who has contributed to the support of our military. This past summer we honored Ron Ball, a readjustment counselor from the Veteran’s Administration for his work helping veterans get acclimated to civilian life.”
Hope says there is an opportunity for everyone to join together to help our troops whether or not they have a laptop to donate.
“CIAN will be donating both new and used laptops and we will be asking those in the community especially businesses and schools for their old equipment and any new laptops they wish to provide.”
“Every bit helps if someone only has $5 to donate they can still help our troops through Any Soldier®,” Hope said. “While a few employees may have laptops to donate, at our office most will be making monetary donations and collecting spare change for Any Soldier. I’ve committed to match those donations.”
JDS, the non-profit that refurbishes the lap tops is run by a Vietnam veteran, Dr. Jim Payne to get laptops to the troops. Payne says while his organization is a 501(c) 3 made up of volunteers, they do not take monetary donations and are strictly looking for laptops. Payne himself reports personally spent $35,000.00 in shipping the laptops overseas (including upgrades).
“Over the years of hundreds of our laptops have been given to American soldiers in Iraq, and Afghanistan,” said Payne.
Any Soldier® along with the Veteran’s Administration is used by Payne and his team to process the requests for equipment and make sure they are legitimate. Retired Army veteran Marty Horn, and his wife, Sue began Any Soldier® Inc. with their son, Brian when he was serving in Iraq when he began asking for assistance for care packages for soldiers who never received anything from home. The growth has continued. To date, AnySoldier.com — and its related websites, AnyMarine, AnyAirman, AnySailor, and AnyCoastGuardsman — have served over 1.9 million troops stationed in 22 locations. Any Soldier® has become one of the leading efforts in making sure the men and women who have been deployed for the war are cared for, via letters and packages from “home.”
“Throughout this month and next beginning on Veteran’s Day we will have the link to the Any Soldier site on our website www.ciancenter.com . Laptop donations can be dropped off at our office at 1803 W. Detweiller Dr. in Peoria and we will take care of getting them to JDS,” said Hope.
Hope said they will have second drive in July to collect laptops being replaced with new ones by college students for the new school year.