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AT&T and Compudopt on Monday donated 100 laptops to Jasper students and families.
Courtesy of AT&T
In an effort to help underserved students and families in Jasper, AT&T and Compudopt donated 100 laptops Monday at a drive-through event at the county's Economic Development Corporation.
The event was part of AT&T's nationwide commitment to help "bridge the digital divide," according to a news release from the company. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 40.1% of Jasper County households have access to a desktop or laptop computer.
"Access to computers and the digital literacy to use them are critical as we work to help bridge the digital divide in East Texas and across the country," said AT&T Director of External and Legislative Affairs Jon McClellan in the release. "AT&T is proud to collaborate with organizations like Compudopt and the Jasper Economic Development Corporation to help expand connectivity in this community."
The donated laptops each come with two years of tech support and two-year warranties. The families were pre-registered and selected by Compudopt to participate.
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"At Compudopt, our mission is to provide technology access and education to under-resourced youth and their communities," said Compudopt Senior Program Manager Jerold Wallace in the release. "(Monday's) computer distribution is part of that vision and our effort to help close the digital divide. By forging meaningful collaborations and delivering community-informed best-in-class service, we are able to rapidly get free computers to kids and families who otherwise don't have access."
Jasper Mayor Randy Sayers said in the release that the city is "a strong advocate for increasing educational opportunities" by closing the digital divide for its families.
"Meeting these goals can improve education outcomes and increase economic opportunities for underserved students and families in our community," he said.
Jasper City Council At-Large Member Rashad Lewis said utilities such as computers have "become critical to our daily lives and are essential to success at school and at work."
AT&T in 2021 committed $2 billion to address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption.
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