Man with CMT turns Computer-repair hobby into charity effort

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Computer-repair hoby turns into charity effort

Donated units find way into hands of families in need

By Hastings, Staff Writer Hillsdale Daily News

http://www.hillsdale.net/living/x154124468/Computer-repair-hoby-turns-

into-charity-effort

Troubleshooting computers for friends and neighbors has turned into a

hobby that Hillsdale resident Stump also uses to benefit area

children.

He advertises for donated computers that he can fix and gives them

away to people who can't afford them.

" I know what it's like to not be able to afford something, " Stump

said. " I just want to make kids happy. "

So far, he's given away between 15 and 20 computers. The latest

benefactors are neighbors and Dennis Beach, who live in the

Cherry Tree Apartment complex next to Stump and his wife, Rita.

The Beaches have four children, three at home.

" Our oldest said, `Mom, you need a computer,' " Beach

said. " Half the homework they do is on computer these days. This is a

big deal that did this for them. He is a wonderful person. "

Fixing computers, or anything for that matter, comes easily for

Stump, who said he's been tinkering with computers for 10 years. The

handicapped 48-year-old man spends much of his days working on

computers that have been donated.

" I fix computers that are non running and donate them to needy

families that can't afford to buy a system, " Stump said. " It's a

hobby for me. "

Rather than destroying the computers because they won't work, Stump

encourages people to donate them to the cause.

" I don't buy anything, I just ask for people to donate them and in

return I get them up and going and make a child happy, " he said. " It

is all worth it to me. "

Stump's disability, a muscle condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth,

affects his arms and legs, but doesn't slow him down when it comes to

fixing things. If anything, it gives him more patience, said his

sister-in-law, Pickford.

" He knows what he's doing, " Pickford said. " He has a knack for

fixing things. "

Stump worked at M & S in Hudson for seven years before he was laid

off indefinitely.

" I always asked a lot of questions about computers when I worked

there, " he said. " By the time I left, they were asking me questions. "

Usually people throw out their hard drives when they don't function,

Stump said.

" I can't put them in the dumpster because there's a pretty good

chance they will take off for me, " he said. " It's usually something

simple. "

Even if the computers are slow, Stump said they can make some child,

somewhere, happy. With three children and five grandchildren of his

own, Stump said he knows what it takes.

" When I was young, my dad was a car salesman and he made a lot of

money, " Stump said, noting once he graduated from Hudson High School

and was out on his own, he struggled like many do.

" I was a drummer, but had to sell my equipment because I fell on some

bad times, " he said. " From there on I got interested in computers and

that's how they became a hobby for me. "

Stump said he got his first computer, an older model, in 1995.

" They've really advanced since then, " he said.

Now, he enjoys using his hobby to help others during the current

economic slump.

" With the economy the way it is, a lot of people have lost jobs...

this is my way of contributing back to the people who have helped

me, " he said.

, Stump's youngest daughter, said her father is always helping

people. " He's always working on my computer, getting the bugs out, "

she said.

Since he enjoys the work, Stump said he doesn't charge people.

" Why do I need to charge for it when I like doing it?, " he

said. " People leave it up to me to find needy families. "

Those interested in learning more about Stump's services or who wish

to donate computers to the cause can call him at (517) 439-4484.