Digital Device Drive to be offered Aug. 6 through Aug. 22 at select Cuyahoga County Public Library branches and AT&T stores
CLEVELAND, Aug. 4, 2021 — As part of AT&T’s recently announced nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide and homework gap, AT&T is contributing $10,000 to PCs for People, an organization focused on digital inclusion and connecting low-income households with low-cost computers. This contribution will enable PCs for People to continue building its staffing and capacity to reach Cleveland-area families in need.
PCs for People contributes to environmental sustainability by accepting computers in any condition before they reach landfills and refurbishing them for reuse. As Cleveland-area students prepare for the new school year, AT&T is joining with the Cuyahoga County Public Library to collect functioning and non-functioning computers, smartphones, tablets and some accessories. Items collected will be provided to PCs for People, then refurbished for distribution. The Digital Device Drive is part of AT&T’s ongoing Believe Cleveland℠ initiative, aimed at digital literacy and technology-based learning.
Items to be accepted for collection include laptops, desktop PCs (within last 5 years), tablets, smartphones, device chargers, keyboards, computer mice, and computer power supplies. The Digital Device Drive will begin on Friday, Aug. 6 and continue through Sunday, Aug. 22 at the following Cleveland-area locations:
Cuyahoga County Public Library branches:
Bay Village: 502 Cahoon Rd., 44140
Brecksville: 9089 Brecksville Rd., 44141
Chagrin Falls: 100 E. Orange St., 44022
Pepper Pike: 31975 Chagrin Blvd., 44124
AT&T retail stores:
Beachwood: 26300 Cedar Rd., 44122
Canton: 4912 Whipple Ave. NW, 44718
Cuyahoga Falls: 794 Howe Ave., 44221
Lyndhurst: 5076 Mayfield Rd., 44124
Macedonia: 463 East Aurora Rd., 44056
Mayfield Heights: 6294 Mayfield Rd., 44124
Mentor: 7701 Mentor Ave., 44060
North Canton: 6710 Strip Ave., 44720
North Olmsted: 26620 Lorain Rd., 44070
Parma: 7687 W. Ridgewood Dr., 44129
Solon: 33631 Aurora Rd., 44139
Stow: 4326 Kent Rd., 44224
Strongsville: 17970 Royalton Rd., 44136
Willoughby: 34808 Euclid Ave., 44094
Woodmere: 28101 Chagrin Blvd., 44122
“Our collaboration with AT&T and their Believe Cleveland℠ initiative has expanded our capacity to offer computer equipment and enhanced training and support,” said PCs for People Chief Innovation Officer Bryan Mauk. “Their support has a great impact and helps our work toward digital inclusion for everyone.”
“The devices that will be collected during this drive can provide a critical bridge across the digital divide,” said Cuyahoga County Public Library Executive Director Tracy Strobel. “I encourage residents throughout the county to bring the items they’re no longer using and help another person in need. We’re pleased to collaborate with AT&T to collect these materials that PCs for People can refurbish for others.”
“The new school year is about to begin, and this is a perfect time to help families in Parma and across Greater Cleveland make digital connections to education, health and work opportunities,” Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter said. “I thank the Cuyahoga County Public Library system, AT&T, and PCs for People for collaborating to bridge the digital divide, and I’m pleased the AT&T store right here in Parma will be one of the collection locations.”
“Our company’s purpose is to create connection – with each other, with what people need to thrive in their everyday lives,” said AT&T Ohio External Affairs Director Tony Costanzo. “We’re pleased to work with PCs for People toward closing the digital divide and thank Clevelanders in advance for contributing tech that can be reused to help our neighbors.”
AT&T is committing more than $2 billion over the next 3 years to bridge the digital divide through affordable broadband offers for both consumers and education institutions, as well as high quality educational resources and community investment through AT&T Connected Learning, a program to connect students to skills, resources, and opportunities for success in school and in life.
About PCs for People
PCs for People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides access to technology for low-income individuals and secure e-waste recycling for businesses. Their model consists of sourcing retired technology, refurbishing for reuse, distributing computers to our communities in need, and offering ongoing training and support. Since 1998, PCs for People has become a national leader in digital inclusion by serving over 345,000 individuals, distributing 115,000 people with home computers, connected 96,000 households to the internet, and responsibly recycling over 7 million pounds of electronic waste through their secure e-waste recycling service. To learn more visit: www.pcsforpeople.org.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities and improving lives. AT&T Connected Learning is a multi-year commitment to bridge the digital divide and narrow the homework gap, so today’s learners are connected with skills, resources, and opportunities for success in school and in life. Since 2008, we’ve committed $600 million to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.
For more information, contact:
Mark Horan
AT&T Corporate Communications
617-669-8340
