That old laptop collecting dust in your closet could help a North Springs High School senior get into college.

The Sandy Springs Education Force is holding an electronics recycling fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 15, in the North Springs High School parking lot at 7447 Roswell Road, Appen Media reported. Families can drop off working or broken devices between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a minimum donation of $25 per car, with all proceeds supporting the nonprofit's 18 after-school, tutoring, and mentoring programs at 10 Sandy Springs public schools.

The money matters at the student level. During the 2024-25 school year, SSEF's programs reached students at every grade level: 90 kids in After-School All-Stars at Sandy Springs Charter Middle, 74 in the Aspire After-School Program at North Springs High, 339 through STEAM Grants across all 10 schools, and 45 in Tutor Teams at three elementary schools. Its Senior Push program at North Springs pairs high schoolers with adult mentors who guide them through college applications and career planning. One student, whose parents had no experience with the college process, secured multiple scholarships and enrolled at Oglethorpe University after working with an SSEF mentor, according to the nonprofit's year-end report.

Beppie Lever, SSEF's programming director, has said the mentoring programs help students who simply need to know another adult is rooting for them and that volunteers work to make the application process accessible.

Fulton County Schools recognized the organization's reach on Oct. 30, 2025, naming it the Legacy of Excellence Partner of the Year at a ceremony attended by roughly 1,000 teachers, staff, and partners, Rough Draft Atlanta reported. Executive Director Irene Schweiger, who has led the nonprofit since it launched in 2008, accepted the award.

Novus Solutions, the recycling vendor, will wipe all data from devices on-site before disposing of them. Large appliances, anything containing fuel, and loose batteries will not be accepted; a full list of eligible items is available at novussolutionsllc.com/recycling.

Families who want to pay in advance can donate online at sandyspringseducationforce.org/ways-to-donate and bring the receipt to the event. Those paying on-site Aug. 15 should bring a check or exact change.

The drive runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, in the North Springs High School parking lot, 7447 Roswell Road.