REBNY urges donation of excess office equipment to NYC schools.

REBNY is urging its members and their tenants to improve the learning environment at New York City's public schools by donating excess computers, office furniture, telephone equipment and other needed supplies to the PENCIL Resource Bank.

PENCIL (Public Education Needs Civic Involvement

In Learning) is a non-profit organization created in 1995 to enlist the private sector in enhancing public education. After a donor informs PENCIL of the items it would like to contribute, the organization prepares a tax deduction letter, identifies the school that will receive the supplies and arranges to pick up the items from the donor.

Those interested in contributing can contact PENCIL via telephone at (212) 9091738, fax at (212) 909-1727, or e-mail at www.pencil.org. The e-mail site also lists individual schools and their needs to guide donors in deciding where their contributions should go, should they want to make the choice themselves. At least a week's notice is necessary before a donor's items will be picked up.

REBNY President Steven Spinola said, "Helping our city's public schools is one of the most effective ways of ensuring that New York has a bright future. That's why we're encouraging our members and their tenants to make the most productive use of unwanted office equipment - by donating it to the school system. A great school system will produce a great workforce to keep New York in the lead among world-class cities in the coming century."