Comcast's Internet Essentials Program, Tacoma Mayor, and Local Gaming Personality Marcel Cunningham Partner to Address Digital Divide for Students at Al Davies Boys & Girls Club Comcast Contributes $10,000 to the Al Davies Boys & Girls Club and Donates 100 Laptops, and 12 Months of Free Internet Service to Kids and Families in Need
Tacoma, Wash.
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August 04, 2021 05:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time
Comcast today announced grants and technology donations to the Al Davies Club in Tacoma as part of its ongoing commitment to help connect more low-income students and families to the Internet. The announcement was made at an event with former Al Davies Club Member and international gaming influencer Marcel Cunningham, who goes by the name of BasicallyIDoWrk, and the Mayor of Tacoma, Victoria Woodards.
In collaboration with Cunningham, Comcast contributed $10,000 and 40 laptop computers to the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. Sixty students also received free laptop computers to keep along with 12 months of home Internet service for eligible families through Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. The funds and computer equipment will help the club better serve its members and provide additional resources to families in need.
Thirty kids attending summer camp at the Al Davies Boys & Girls Club also had the opportunity to play with Cunningham in a fun, interactive video game competition at the event. Afterwards, Cunningham, Mayor Woodards, and Comcast surprised the students by handing out the free laptops and a gift card good for a year of Internet Essentials Internet service.
"It is extraordinary to be able to come back and bring resources to the Club I spent so much time at as a kid. Boys & Girls Clubs are special places that help so many kids and families, and I wouldn't be who I am today without the experiences I had at the Al Davies Club,” said Cunningham. “I appreciate the opportunity to partner with Comcast and Mayor Woodards to bring these resources to the Boys & Girls Club, the students, and their families.”
“When private companies and organizations like ours can come together it can truly create something special for our community. These funds, access to internet and technology donations will have a tremendous impact on our local Clubs,the members we serve, and their families” said Carrie Holden, President/CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. “We are grateful to Comcast for its contributions and to our alum Marcel for continuing to stay engaged with the Club and our kids.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on many of the inequities in our society, including the digital divide. In Tacoma and across the South Puget Sound, we are fortunate to have organizations like our local Boys & Girls Clubs which serve as central meeting places and can help address the issues of access and equity if they have the resources,” said Tacoma’s Mayor Victoria Woodards. “This is why it is exciting to see Comcast and Marcel collaborating with our local Clubs to support youth and their families and fill an important community need by providing crucial technology resources across our region.”
As a former member of the Al Davies Boys & Girls Club, Cunningham previously received the Key to the City of Tacoma Award for his work in the local community and support of his childhood club. Cunningham continues to support the club via his foundation TeamWrk, which focuses on challenging youth to reach their full potential by teaching healthy gaming habits, character and team-building skills, and bullying prevention.
Cunningham recently became a member of “Team Xfinity”, a collection of streamers, content creators, and gamers who rely on Xfinity Internet to power all their gaming and streaming needs, connecting them with audiences across the world.
"We're thrilled to partner with Marcel to help give Boys & Girls Club students and families the resources to access the Internet to participate in online learning," said Carla Carrell, Senior Director of External Affairs, Comcast Washington. "The pandemic put many vulnerable students and families at risk of being left behind, accelerating the need for comprehensive digital equity and Internet adoption programs to support them."
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Comcast’s recent $1 billion commitment over the next 10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income students and families the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world.
About Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials is Comcast’s signature digital equity initiative and the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. In 10 years, it has helped connect 10 million low-income Americans to broadband Internet at home, most for the very first time. Internet Essentials has a comprehensive design that addresses each of the three major barriers to broadband adoption. This includes: multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online, and in person; the option to purchase a heavily subsidized, low-cost Internet-ready computer; and low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month, plus tax. The program is structured as a partnership between Comcast and tens of thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials, and nonprofit community partners. Comcast has never raised the price of the program. For more information about Internet Essentials and Comcast’s commitment to education and digital equity, please visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/digital-equity/internet-essentials To apply, visit www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376 for English or 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
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