Craigslist Founder Gives Cash, Tech to SF Vets

VETS Center at San Francisco's City College benefits from Craig Newmark's gift.

Thousands of  veterans, many of whom face job concerns, just got some major tech support - a donation of cash and technology from dotcom success story Craig Newmark.

Newmark, the founder of the popular Craigslist, told NBC Bay Area Tuesday in an exclusive on-camera interview that he's making the donation to a cause close to his heart.

 "This donation is another way  for a guy like me to show my thanks for their service by giving back right here in the local community," he said.

His gift of $10,000 (part of the Craigconnects initiative, which counts the military as one of its main focus points) will buy the Veterans Educational Transitional Services Center (VETS) at City College of San Francisco new Hewlett Packard computers, a nice boost for veterans who need help finding job and re-connecting as they come back home.

In an area where tech executives giving is a common (and terrific) thing, a gift to veterans is extra cool.

And the tech angle? Newmark said: "A nerd's gotta do what a nerd's gotta do."

The VETS Center serves veteran students in order to enhance their transition from military life into real world careeers. The center partners with the Veterans Alliance Club and the Veteran Resource Center. City College of San Francisco is among the oldest and largest community colleges, providing education to about 95,000 students each year.

Check back for Scott Budman's full report at 6 p.m.

Scott can be found on Twitter: @scottbudman

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