BY JODI MAGALLANES

jmagallanes@etruth.com

ELKHART -- Synthia Ross runs RTS Computer Sales and Service, an Elkhart company that refurbishes computers for resale and provides in-home tech support.

But for 12 days in December, she plays Santa Claus.

During the holiday season, Ross runs a program that gives away working computers to families that don't have one. Extra technicians are hired and trained to securely wipe data from the computers and repair them, then give them away between Dec. 14 and 25.

Last Christmas, Ross and her team gave away about 100 computers -- each equipped with a current operating system, DVD/CD player, free anti-virus software, word processing program and, if requested, a modem.

Her intention is to give school children the digital advantage, as well as unemployed adults who may need to create a resume or search for jobs online.

Call her at 266-3473 to donate a computer. All computers donated for this program will be given to families and not re-sold, Ross said. (Editor's note - The phone number in the initial version of the story was incorrect. This one is correct.)

If your family cannot afford a computer and would like to receive one, call her at 993-2706 and leave your name, address, phone number and the ages of the children in your household.