AT&T and Compudopt provided the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta and RISE Augusta and the Harris Literacy Center at Augusta University 400 refurbished laptops and backpacks stuffed with school supplies today to distribute to Augusta students in need.  

This distribution is part of a broader AT&T employee effort to help bridge the digital divide and equip 20,000 students across the country with laptops and backpacks before they head back to school. In addition to supplies like notebooks, pencils and headphones, the backpacks included cards of encouragement written by AT&T employees.

“We appreciate AT&T's continued commitment to the Augusta community through their distribution of free laptops to local youth and families at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, RISE Augusta and the Harris Literacy Center at Augusta University,” saidAugusta Mayor Garnett Johnson. “By providing access to laptops and digital resources, we are helping close the digital divide and offering learners of all ages the tools they need for enhanced educational opportunities and growth. Together, we are paving the way for bright futures and ensuring that every resident in Augusta has the opportunity to succeed.” 

“We are so grateful to AT&T for this generous contribution to our kids and families,” said Kim Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta. “Having regular access to a computer at home is a game changer and provides exposure to the world through new lenses that create consistent interaction with technology.”

“At RISE Augusta, we believe in the potential of all children to rise above adversity, stay in school, and achieve in life. With these laptops, our students have access to digital tools and resources that will expand their learning opportunities and help them succeed in the classroom and beyond,” said Laurie Cook, Executive Director, RISE Augusta. “Through this collaboration with AT&T and Compudopt, we are opening a world of opportunities for Augusta youth.” 

“The Harris Literacy Center at Augusta University is thrilled to collaborate with AT&T to provide laptops for the families we serve. This generous donation of laptops is crucial for our community, offering essential tools for education, job searching, and staying connected in a digital world,” said Dr. Betsy VanDeusen, Director, The Harris Literacy Center at Augusta University. “By providing these devices, we aim to mitigate the digital divide, ensuring that all members of our community have the opportunity to succeed in an increasingly digital society.” 

This effort is part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.

“At AT&T, we are committed to helping close the digital divide. We are proud to collaborate with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, RISE Augusta and the Harris Literacy Center at Augusta University to equip learners of all ages in the Augusta area with the technology and digital resources they need to thrive,” said Stan Shepherd, Regional Director of External Affairs, AT&T Georgia. “Through this collaboration, we are connecting more Georgians to greater possibility.” 

Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.