Surprise donation part of Comcast’s ongoing investment in Boone County and rural Indiana, partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Comcast is teaming up with the Boys & Girls Club of Boone County to surprise local students with 200 laptops to ensure families have internet access as they approach winter break.
Laptop recipients include students and families who participate in programming through the Whitestown and Lebanon Units of the Boys & Girls Club of Boone County, including after-school care and year-round programming focused on leadership, recreation and academic success.
“During the holiday season, students who typically utilize laptops at school can be dependent on just a cell phone for internet access at home,” said Eric Richards, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Boone County. “Partnerships with organizations like Comcast are essential to enabling young people — especially those who need us most — to continue to develop digital skills, complete homework outside of the classroom, and help us make sure students can reach their full potential.”
According to a Michigan State University report, students who are dependent on a cell phone alone for internet access — or lack reliable home Internet access — are more likely to experience deficits in academic performance and well-being as they struggle to complete homework and stay connected.
In Boone County and across Indiana, Comcast is working with state and local officials to invest in communities most in need of fast, reliable broadband service. Comcast recently announced a $55 million joint investment with the state of Indiana to build Internet to rural, unserved and underserved areas in seven Indiana counties, including expanding services in Boone County.
“Increasing digital equity unleashes the potential of high-speed internet at home — even more so when school is out of session,” said Craig D’Agostini, Comcast vice president, government & regulatory affairs. “We’re proud to continue to partner with Boone County in closing the digital divide, and to provide the latest technology and connectivity in a way that benefits everyone.”
This laptop donation is part of Project UP, Comcast’s 10-year, $1 billion commitment to help make digital equity a reality in communities the company serves in Indiana and across the country. To support Indiana’s digital equity efforts, Comcast offers several programs to increase internet accessibility and skills training opportunities, including:
- The Comcast Internet Essentials program provides low-cost, high-speed broadband service to eligible low-income households, connecting more than 770,000 students, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities in Indiana enrolled in a variety of government assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, the Federal Pell Grant program, SNAP, SSI, WIC, and others.
- Comcast operates more than 18 Lift Zones across Indiana. Lift Zones are robust Wi-Fi hotspots in safe spaces where kids and adults can access free high-speed WiFi, learn digital skills, and participate in remote learning.
- Comcast has made more than $3.8 million in cash and in-kind donations to community-based organizations in Indiana over the last three years, focusing on initiatives designed to foster digital equity.
