Helping seniors get up and running on the net

• Millions in new taxes cannot save budget JOURNAL STAFF Times have changed like lightening for a lot of local seniors. Technology has moved so quickly that many of “the young people” can’t even keep up and for seniors it seems to be even tougher.

Computers cost money, training costs money and for most seniors, a computer is out of the question because finances are just too tight.

One Lake Stevens man, Gary Maxfield, is on a mission to get computers up and running for seniors who want to move into the tech world.
“Gary’s work has been a Godsend to me,” Lyle Gordan said. “I’ve called on him several times, the last of which I explained the problem to him by phone.  He directed me to pull the power cord to the modem, replace it in 30 seconds and that solved the problem. Several of the organizations to which I belong communicate largely by email and I would be lost without it.”

Maxfield is always working on his next computer and hoping to find someone who needs and wants his help. 

“At the present time, I’m involved with 23 computers and I service them as needed,” Maxfield said.

Maxfield is constantly looking for donated computers so he can upgrade them and give them to those who can’t afford them. He also helps train many of his “clients” so they can feel confident when using their new toy.

“I need a few good computers that can be upgraded enough to get seniors o

n line,” he said. “All I ask is they pay the monthly internet charge.”
At times, Maxfield will take two or three computers and put them together to make one good one.

When someone donates a computer, he likes to make sure they are confident that he has taken off all of their personal information.

“I want the owner present so they can watch me remove all their data from the computer,” Maxfield said. “I don’t want to pass any of their info on.”

If you would like to donate a computer to Maxfield you can contact him at g.maxfield@comcast.net. He will pick them up from you.

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