Teen helps 'Greatest Generation' keep in touch via the Internet

Ian Hunter, son of John and Kendra Hunter of McCook, with some of the computers he repaired and donated to Hillcrest Nursing Home. Hunter restored a total of six computers as a service project required to advance to Eagle Scouts, the highest ranking in Boy Scouts. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette)

It will now be easier for the "Greatest Generation" to stay connected to the computer generation, thanks to the efforts of 17-year old Ian Hunter of McCook.

Hunter, a member of Boy Scout Troop 244, recently revamped six outdated computers and donated them to Hillcrest Nursing Home, as part of the service project he needed to complete to advance to Eagle Scouts. For Hunter, a self-professed computer junkie, working on the computers was a natural fit.

"It wasn't that hard," he shrugged. "I figured people here could use them like anywhere else."

"We're very excited," said Tamera Neel, Hillcrest Activities Director. "It opens up a whole new world to them." Residents love to get pictures and now they will be one click away from viewing it themselves, she said.

"With today's technology, you can see pictures of babies born two hours ago, which gets pretty emotional for all of us," she said, who currently downloads pictures on her computer at work to share with the residents.

Those who express an interest can have a computer in their room, she said, whether to just play games or access the Internet. One resident who types regularly on a manual typewriter will have the opportunity to use a word processor for the first time, she said, while another resident who loves Solitaire will be able to play a computerize version.

The donation will also be used as part of a computer area that Hillcrest may initiate sometime in the future, she added.

Hunter said he collected the old computers from an assortment of locations, including Community Hospital of McCook, ESU 15, even from a thrift store and a neighbor. They weren't in bad shape, he said, but just needed a few adjustments to get up to speed.

With the help of some friends and his church group, new operating systems were installed and hardware was switched around so all of the computers are now Internet-ready and contain games and Basic Word.

"I'm glad I had the help," Hunter said, who even recruited his younger siblings in his project.

"If you do it by yourself it doesn't mean as much."