Harry Brelsford passed me this press release over the transom . . .
Digital Inclusion Roadshow 2021 features pop-up computer donation sites to support local nonprofit organizations’ work to end the Digital Divide.
SMBNation, in cooperation with Lenovo, PC Matic and ZPI, kicks off a whirlwind pop-up technology donation event across 5-western U.S. states to support Digituity’s efforts to close the technology gap.
NORTH CONWAY, N.H., February 26, 2020 — Digitunity and SMBNation, in cooperation with technology manufacturer Lenovo, software provider PC Matic and managed service provider Zepol Productions, Inc. (ZPI), launches a whirlwind 5-state Digital Inclusion Road Show that includes technology donation drives to collect working used computers and repurpose them to provide technology access and skills training to people who need it most.
“At Digitunity, we believe that device ownership is the heart of digital equity and the key to unlocking opportunity, particularly for those most marginalized,” shared Sue Krautbauer Digitunity’s Senior Director of Strategy and Development. “Owning a computer is essential in today’s digital society allowing one to participate in telehealth appointments, find employment, engage in training and more.”
Over 55 million people in the United Statesdo not have a computer at home, and tens of millions of households do not have enough computers to allow for concurrent use by multiple family members. Yet around 56 million new computers are purchased each year. What happened to the computers they replaced? There are enough computers for everyone in America. "The need to close the digital divide has never been more urgent, and we here at PC Matic proudly support the mission of great organizations like Digitunity" stated Corey Munson, Vice President, PC Matic.
A computer donation drive is a great opportunity for local residents and technology businesses to donate used, working computers to local nonprofit organizations, who then put the donated laptops and desktops to good use supporting their community-based missions. “It’s in our DNA to support causes such as this technology drive. The tour is a natural fit as ZPI is in the technology hardware maintenance business, so we get it.”, said Scott Lopez, CEO, ZPI.
At each stop on the tour, a member of the Digital Opportunity Network, a nationwide Digitunity community of 1400+ member nonprofit organizations will be highlighted and benefit from the technology donations raised during this event. These worthy organizations’ efforts include distributing computers and internet access, conducting skills training, digital support in their communities.
Site-Specific Info:
Feb 26 - Seattle, WA => Supporting Interconnection. https://interconnection.org/
Mar 1 - Boise, ID => Supporting Computers for Kids. https://www.cfkid.org/
Mar 2 - Salt Lake City, UT => Supporting Tech Charities. https://techcharities.org/
Mar 4 - Albuquerque, NM => Supporting multiple organizations, more info to come.
Mar 10 - Austin, TX => Supporting multiple organizations, more info to come.
“Lenovo’s vision as a company is to provide smarter technology for all" said Libby Richards, community engagement manager at Lenovo. “At Lenovo, we continue to partner with organizations like Digitunity to provide local communities with critical access to technology to help solve problems, create opportunities, and transform the way we all live."
The digital divide has been with us for decades and continues to be a barrier to success for millions in our country. Device ownership is the key that unlocks vast opportunity. The purpose of the Digital Inclusion Road Show is to unite local businesses and nonprofits and, by working together, to get computers to everyone in need in their communities.
To learn more about the Digital Inclusion Road Show or to donate, visit https://pages.donately.com/digitunity/campaign/digital-inclusion-road-show-2021
----------
Digitunity, an initiative of National Cristina Foundation, is leading a national strategy to eliminate the technology gap at scale. We partner, coordinate, educate, ignite and unite people, ideas and solutions so that everyone can participate fully in a digitally-connected world. Learn more at www.digitunity.org.
SMB Nation is a nationwide community of over 3,000 small and medium business (SMB) technology professionals providing critical information technology services in their local markets. Learn more at www.smbnation.com
###