The Community Foundation is proud to partner with AT&T to be a conduit to the community and distribute 100 laptops to those in need. Through close relationships with so many local nonprofits and schools, it was a fun switch from grantmaking to connecting families and students who could really use the technology with the gift from AT&T.

“What a wonderful surprise from the Community Foundation and AT&T. Thank you so much!” said Jeff Kaczperski, Chair of the SONS Outreach Board. “Equipping young people with a computer gives them a real boost in school and in getting comfortable with technology. We’ll be sure to put them to good use… what a blessing!”

The Foundation has worked with AT&T for over 10 years to help connect them to key community work and to be a trusted resource for the company to help them give back. From robotics to college access, the Port Huron Police Explorers Program to support for after-school programs, mentoring, and tutoring programs, the Community Foundation is happy to provide this connection for AT&T.

Dawn Schweihofer, Program Director at Literacy & Beyond, said, “This is so incredible. Looking forward to sharing this wonderful gift with our students! We are so incredibly blessed.”

The latest gift of 100 laptops provided an opportunity for local organizations to identify those they serve who could really benefit from having a computer. This gift from AT&T benefitted single mothers working on obtaining their GED with Literacy & Beyond, families connected to and working with St. Clair County Organizing for Racial Equity (SCCORE), students and families served by SONS Outreach, and at-risk student athletes involved in tutoring programs at The Athletic Factory. Laptops were also provided countywide for robotics teams, and to families in the rural western portion of the county including Memphis, Yale, and Avoca as well as students at RESA.

The gift of laptops was well-received and will go a long way toward connecting the individuals who will be using them for learning opportunities and so much more.

“Wow! This is great news,” said Steven Tenniswood, with Blue Water Area Robotics when he found out 30 laptops were coming to local robotics teams. “Perfect timing too as I’ve had a couple of teams ask me for help acquiring laptops for their programs. I can’t wait to share this with the teams!”

Kim Brown, Executive Director at SCCORE, said, “Thank you, thank you so much. This will be such a blessing for our youth and their families,” and Cliff Thomason, Executive Director for The Athletic Factory, added, “We plan to use these gifts to help our seniors headed into the next phase of life without a laptop to connect them for school or work.”

This partnership with AT&T highlights the integral role the Community Foundation plays with bringing together resources in the community to best serve those who will benefit the most. The Foundation is grateful that AT&T trusted our connection with the community to help distribute laptops to benefit those most in need.

Local and national businesses work with the Community Foundation to connect more meaningfully into our community. They connect through the Foundation’s local knowledge and relationships as well as through Corporate Donor Advised Funds. Giving back comes in all forms from giving away laptops, to grantmaking to investing locally and the Foundation is proud to be that conduit to giving for so many local companies. Interested in learning more about how your business can connect to give back, learn more here.