High River Tech Store Raises $1,600 Smashing Old Devices

Sometimes the best way to say goodbye to your old laptop is with a hammer and a good cause.

JEI Tech in High River brought back its wildly popular Smash-IT fundraiser this summer, inviting residents to destroy their outdated electronics while supporting local charities. Over two days in late July, the event raised $1,600 split between Foothills Advocacy in Motion and Wildrose Community Connections.

The concept is brilliantly simple. Bring your old tech, make a donation, and smash away your frustrations while knowing every swing helps your neighbors.

"It's a fun and engaging way for people to blow off some steam by smashing old electronics," explains JEI Tech president Lee-Anne Coleman. "And at the same time, it's just a fun way to get together and to support local charities."

Now in its third year, the fundraiser started as Coleman's answer to a challenge: how could a tech company give back in a way that felt authentic to their business? The solution turned routine e-waste disposal into community celebration.

The beneficiaries weren't randomly chosen. Both FAIM and Wildrose Community Connections focus on strengthening families and individuals in High River, aligning perfectly with JEI Tech's mission to build up their community.

The Ripple Effect

The real magic of Smash-IT goes beyond the dollar amount. About 200 pounds of electronic waste got properly recycled instead of ending up in landfills. Community members connected with each other and local organizations they might never have known about otherwise.

FAIM posted their gratitude on social media, calling the fundraiser "creative" and thanking everyone who participated. That enthusiasm signals something important: people want to give back, they just need fun ways to do it.

Coleman credits volunteers, sponsors, and community partners for making it all happen. "It's not just JEI Tech, you know, it's a whole community coming together," she says.

The team's already dreaming bigger for next year, hoping to grow the event and raise even more for local causes. When doing good feels this satisfying, growth seems inevitable.