AT&T and Human I-T provided the Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta with 250 refurbished laptops and backpacks stuffed with school supplies today to distribute to Valdosta students and families. 

“Thanks to AT&T, our Club members will have the tools they need to learn, grow and achieve this school year,” said Kristin Hanna, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta. “These laptops and backpacks will open up a world of knowledge and opportunities for our youth and their families. Together, we are building brighter futures for Valdosta youth.”  

This event is part of a broader AT&T employee effort to help bridge the digital divide and distribute 30,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and laptops to students in qualifying households before they head back to school. The backpacks included supplies like notebooks, pencils and headphones, as well as cards of encouragement written by AT&T employees. 

“In today’s world, access to technology is essential for learning, developing job skills and connecting with one another. AT&T’s donation of laptops is helping Valdosta youth build the skills and confidence they need to succeed,” said Mayor Scott James Matheson, City of Valdosta. “We appreciate AT&T’s commitment to closing the digital divide and its continued investment in Valdosta.”

“This collaboration between AT&T and the Boys & Girls Club is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when we work together to support Lowndes County youth. By providing these laptops and backpacks, we’re not just giving students tools for school, we’re opening doors to future opportunities,” said Paige Dukes, County Manager, Lowndes County. 

This effort is part of AT&T’s 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&T is committed to helping close the digital divide, and we are proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta by providing laptops and backpacks to Valdosta youth and families,” said Gary Sanchez, Regional Director of External Affairs, AT&T Georgia. “Through this collaboration, we are creating pathways of success for Valdosta youth and connecting more Georgians to greater possibility.”