Linking families with troops overseas

WALTHAM

The Raytheon Company has donated 100 computers to Operation Homelink, a charity that provides military families with computers that help them stay in touch with loved ones serving overseas.

Most service personnel have access to e-mail during their deployment, but that doesn't do much good when their families can't afford a home computer to communicate with them regularly, said the nonprofit organization's press release, and they end up using regular mail or expensive long-distance phone calls to stay in touch.

The donated computers are professionally refurbished, tested for problems, upgraded with a new operating system and software, and then shipped to the families.

The program has connected more than 2,300 families so far, and recently expanded to donate laptops to wounded soldiers and marines recuperating in military hospitals. Raytheon's computers will go to families of Massachusetts National Guard members.

-- Stephanie V. Siek