When 75-year-old Patrick Chezzie isn't camping or being a doting grandfather, the soft-spoken Keswick resident spends time refurbishing computers in his home.
What started out as a one-time favour has turned into something of a second career for the retiree who gives back to the community he loves by refurbishing second-hand computers and selling them at a very low price to low-income families across York Region.
"I do it to help people in the community," he said.
Thirteen years ago, Chezzie's financial advisor at Scotia bank said she had a computer to give away and asked if he knew of anyone who could use it. He took the computer, fixed it up and gave it to a young girl who lived on his street.
Word spread quickly and after realizing how much of a need there was for families and students who couldn't afford new computers, he started Computer Rescue, a non-profit organization.
He said the initiative continued to grow strictly through word of mouth and in 2010 his efforts were recognized with a York Region Character Community Award nomination and an award from the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
"I have a very good reputation (in the community); I treat them with respect and I get it right back," he said.
He approached local organizations, residents and the surrounding municipalities asking them to donate old computers, having no idea that he would end up helping "hundreds and hundreds of people," he said.
By his estimation Chezzie has refurbished up to 5,000 computers since he began — 3,000 of which he has sold directly to community members.
The Towns of Georgina, Newmarket and Aurora regularly donated computers to his Computer Rescue program for a decade, but, he said, Newmarket and Georgina suddenly stopped.
Chezzie called the towns' decision "very disappointing."
"This is going back into the community that we live in. It made no sense to me. Still doesn't to this day," he said.
Yvonne Kelly, York Region District School Board community and partnership developer, co-chairperson of the Social Planning Council of York Region, and chairperson of the Social Planning Network of Ontario has known Chezzie for 10 years and first heard about him when she began working for the school board.
Chezzie told her that with municipalities and school boards moving toward selling their e-waste, finding enough donated computers was becoming increasingly difficult.
"It wasn't like a mean-spirited thing, I think they just were doing what was happening without really thinking about the impact or the implications," Kelly said.
"It's such a win-win for our communities when municipalities make this technology available to support local families instead of selling it as e-waste."
Kelly tried to reach out to the municipalities on Chezzie's behalf and didn't receive much of a response but it was the lack of response from the Town of Georgina in particular that was "the most disconcerting."
"Here's a gentleman in their own community who has been recognized for his contribution and at a time like now, this is insane. We really need this kind of support, especially right now during COVID, it's unbelievable how much of a hardship this is for people. "
The Town of Newmarket acknowledged it is no longer donating some of its older electronic devices "to an individual" for repurposing to those in need at a low cost, said Esther Armchuk, commissioner of corporate services for the Town of Newmarket, in an email.
"All other equipment was recycled by the town’s recycling contractor. This solution was not intended to be a permanent solution for the disposal of electronic equipment, as the town still had equipment that needed to be properly disposed of after the data was cleared at the town’s expense," Armchuk said.
A contract was awarded to a service provider in 2020 to dispose of all old technology, she added.
"This contract has been proven to be beneficial to the town as the town is able to better track all of its electronic assets and recoup some of the life-cycle costs associated with that equipment. The town also receives certificate of recycle/destruction which ensures that all data is cleared from the equipment."
However, Armchuk added that the town is "currently looking at opportunities to continue to provide options for community organizations in need of electronics and will be working with our community groups to address their needs."
The Town of Georgina does not sell its old computers, which are assessed and grouped together for either donation or disposal, said Tanya Thompson, communications manager, Office of the CAO for the Town of Georgina, in an email.
Kelly said as part of her work with poverty and intersections of poverty, she's referred quite a lot of families to Chezzie over the years and successfully advocated within the board to donate some of the older laptops to the person she refers to as an "unsung hero."
She said Chezzie's work may be more important now than when he first started.
The digital divide between families who have up to six devices at home and those who share one among a family of four is "massive," she said.
"So many families benefit and will lose out on that local option if Patrick is not able to secure the technology that he is able to refurbish and turn-around for low costs to people in communities right across the region."
Working on computers keeps him busy and helps "keep my sanity," Chezzie said.
When his wife—one of the biggest supporters of his initiative—passed away a few years ago, he never considered slowing down.
"She encouraged me to keep going, no matter what happens."
Chezzie's home is filled with stacks of laptops and his front porch with desktop monitors.
He said he is currently working on 34 computers and is expecting another 20 next week.
Chezzie said no matter its condition, he doesn't refuse any donated computer but thankfully almost all of the donated computers are in excellent condition—donated usually because the warranty has expired.
When he gets a computer he removes previous data, which he is fully certified to do, installs the latest operating system, makes sure it's internet ready and installs all updates so they are ready to use. The computers, which he said can retail for $350, are sold for $90 or less.
Chezzie said as long as there are children and families in need and as long as he's able to, he will continue to run his non-profit refurbishing program
To inquire about a computer or make a donation, contact [email protected]
