Students need tech donations

By Sulz, Dave on August 11, 2020.

LETHBRIDGE HERALD

Tech donations are urgently needed for Alberta students who do not have reliable access to computers, laptops or the internet at home – particularly those who are from lower-income households. London Drugs and Alberta Computers for Schools are teaming up to accept donations of gently used computers, tablets and phones that can be restored and given to as many students as possible, for the start of the new school year.

“The recent months have certainly demonstrated the importance for all Albertans to have access to the technological tools enabling them to stay connected from home,” Kari Cope, executive director of Alberta Computers for Schools, said in a news release. “As a result, we’ve seen a huge increase in requests from families in need of support. Donations are critical right now as we currently have hundreds of applicants waiting.”

Laptops and monitors are the most in-demand with desktops, tablets, keyboards and mobile phones all being accepted. Individuals can simply drop off the device at London Drugs’ TECH Service Desks and the technicians will conduct a complete data wipe prior to it being restored. Devices for donation will face some criteria – such as no cracks in the screen and still having its power cord – and devices that don’t meet the criteria will be recycled responsibly as part of London Drugs’ What’s the Green Deal program.

“London Drugs has responsibly recycled customers’ old computers and electronic devices for many years,” said Nick Curalli, IT, Vice-President – Technology Solutions, London Drugs. “By partnering with Alberta Computers for Schools, we are immensely happy that restored devices will end up in the hands of children who need these technology products to learn and thrive.”

Alberta Computers for Schools will work together with schools and not-for-profit organizations to help students and families access the donated computers.

“Now, more than ever, technology donations are essential to provide some much-needed support not only to schools and not-for-profits, but to as many as possible of the almost 700,000 K-12 students in the province,” said Cope. “We thankfully welcome London Drugs’ support of Alberta Computers for Schools. Thanks to this partnership, we can become an even bigger part of the solution for our province.”

Including the 23 stores in Alberta, 81 London Drugs stores in Western Canada will be accepting tech donations. More information on the Tech Drive can be found online at http://www.londondrugs.com/techdrive.html.

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