BRADENTON, Fla. (SNN) – For almost ten years, a Bradenton resident has been dedicated to bridging the digital divide by refurbishing laptops and distributing them to those in need.
At 79, Craig Clark, affectionately dubbed the “Tech Fairy” by his community, has transformed his enthusiasm for technology into a meaningful and rewarding endeavor. In his East Bradenton home, Clark tirelessly repairs computers that might otherwise be discarded, then donates them to individuals who cannot afford one.
“It all started when I found myself with five computers cluttering my home,” Clark recounted with a chuckle. “They had no value to me anymore, but I realized they could be invaluable to someone without access to technology.”
This modest idea has blossomed into a significant undertaking over the past decade. Clark has refurbished and donated over 700 laptops, all sourced from the neighborhood app Nextdoor.
Local residents post when they have an old computer to give away, and Clark handles the rest—erasing data, repairing components, and ensuring each laptop is fully functional for its new owner.
However, distributing these laptops isn’t an online affair. Clark prefers personal interactions and often meets recipients in person, sometimes over a meal, to hand over the refurbished devices.
“If my wife would cook, I couldn’t be successful,” he joked. “It was at least sixty that worked at McDonald’s over the years. Waffle House — eight or ten. There was a Freddy’s restaurant girl — she was really nice.”
When asked how those conversations even start, he grinned. “Weirdly sometimes.”
Over the years, Clark has kept photos of nearly every person he’s helped — snapshots of students, parents, and workers who needed a way to get connected. “Those two fraternal twins at the Goodwill — loved them,” he recalled.
For Clark, the work is about more than just technology. It’s about staying active and giving others a fair shot at success.
“I will not sit and watch boring television,” he said. “I don’t read books. To keep my brain from falling asleep, I have to have a challenge all the time. I’m really good at golf, and I’m really good at computers.”
If you’d like to help Craig Clark by donating a laptop or funds for repairs, you can email tech-fairy1@outlook.com.
