People interested in donating to the Dakin Humane Society often think of the obvious — leashes, dog food, puppy pads and other pet-centric items.
But the animal shelter in Leverett and Springfield is often in need of other items as well, including technology equipment, all of which is procured from donations. That’s why Smith College’s recent gift of more than a dozen computers and related equipment was particularly helpful, Dakin spokeswoman Lee Chambers said.
“This kind of donation is so great for us because we’re 100 percent self-supporting,” she said. “Everything is always welcome.”
Smith donated the electronics through its Town Gown Technology Donation program, which offers nonprofits its used equipment for free.
“I’m happy to note that this year, every organization that has requested a donation has either received it or is on our waiting list,” Samuel A. Masinter, a Smith College spokesman, said in an email. “We’re proud to support this program, which has existed since at least the early 1990s, as a way to benefit nonprofit partners in the community.”
Chambers said the Smith donations allowed Dakin to upgrade some old and very overused equipment.
“We were so grateful to Smith for this,” she said. “Our budget is just strained and it’s tough to stretch our resources.”
Nonprofits can request Smith technology donations at: www.smith.edu/its/tara/towngown.html