If it's possible to give too much of yourself to helping others, today's Neighbourhood Hero is guilty.

Dave Foerter is totally, and I mean totally committed to refurbishing used computers and then giving them away, free of charge, to kids whose families can't afford one.

He's given away hundred -- in fact many hundreds -- of complete packages including a refurbished 486, and the occasional Pentium, with monitor, mouse, printer and software.

"Right now kids need a computer," he says. "They haven't got a chance in life if the haven't got a computer at home, and there are lots of families out there who simply can't afford one." Thanks to Dave, many of them can now.

You may remember Dave from the four years he spent as Operations Manager at the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange. That's where he started refurbishing old computers and giving them to kids and their families. He also gave many to the Child Development Centre and other not for profit societies. It became a passion.

"I just like doing it," he says. "It always makes me feel good when I can help someone else."

The need to give to others is something Dave has had for a long time. He got it from his mother.

He had tears in his eyes as he recalled a young classmate whose family couldn't afford to buy him a new pair of shoes for school. As it turned out, Dave had two pairs. The operative word here is "had" because soon Dave and his friend were equals in the shoe department and each was able to walk to school wearing a good pair of shoes.

When Dave left the Recycling Exchange, he kept working at home fixing up and giving away computers even though he wasn't being paid for his efforts. In fact, it often cost him money as he bought more RAM or whatever else was needed to complete a computer package.

"He has spent a couple of inheritances doing this," Literacy Nanaimo's Carolyn McWhinnie told me. "He really is one of those rare, totally altruistic human beings."

A few years ago, Literacy Nanaimo formed a partnership with Dave. He's located in the basement of their bookstore on Commercial Street, hence the name "The Computer Seller".

This partnership puts him in touch with local schools who help identify families that need a good used computer and it also helps him stick a little closer to some sort of business plan.

But a business plan is anything but a priority for Dave. You see, he wants kids in need to have a computer and a chance in this digital world and nothing like a balance sheet is going to stand in his way.

"Why," I asked, "are you willing to give every cent you own to this cause?

"I've got everything I need," he told me. "For creature comforts I have my fireplace but other than that I don't need anything.

"I use a computer monitor hooked to VCR so I can watch television and the rest of my furniture is Sally Ann or early dump ... but I'm fine. I don't need more than that."

Then in the midst of a burst of laughter he giggled, "Well I am single so I guess I could use a wife."

He could also use any computers you have or computer parts like extra RAM, a slower speed CD ROM that you may have discarded or a 56K modem you might have in a drawer if you have recently gone to Shaw at home or an ADSL connection.

He could also use a large, dry, long-term storage space. It doesn't have to be heated.

Dave Foerter defines himself as someone who is willing to give more than he's got in order to help others.

We define him as a Neighbourhood Hero.