Nothing makes us happier than receiving Thank you letters and we received a bonanza in February! We were blessed to receive over 30 letters and cards from students attending Vancouver Island University. These students are youth who are aging out of government care and who didn’t have a computer of their own to complete homework or research. One card read “Thank you for your generosity. It’s initiatives like this that help former youth in care feel loved and proud”
 
We say it because it’s true: your donations matter.
 
Feb Highlights include:

• 800 computers/laptops donated in from many federal departments
• 400 computers distributed out to the Surrey Welcome Centre (SD #36), Khalsa School and the BC Royal Canadian Legion.
• New Donor included Rimex Supply (thank you!)
• The second mail out for Connective Families was released

 
Learn how you can donate at here or call 604-250-9936 for more information. 

Happy New Year and as I write… Happy Lunar New Year! – It’s hard to believe January is over and it’s time to share all the events and activities that kept us busy over the month.
 
Thankfully, tech donations continued to come in. We received over 360 computers from a variety of donors including 5 federal departments, Metro Vancouver, Langara College, Capilano University, TeeKay Shipping, the New West Police Department, and 14 individual donors. Thanks to everyone who continues to support our work through your donations.
 
They were needed. We shipped 600 computers; we helped MOSAIC with 30 computers to support new immigrant families, Xaxli’p First Nation received 20 laptops to support learners in their community computer lab,  7 public schools from Surrey to Vavenby, some being used in the classroom, or for school tech clubs, others are being provided to families. 300 computers were shipped through the Connecting Families initiative.
 
We learned one teacher was seeking a “dependable classroom laptop that can run Smartboard software (and more). The classroom computer bit the dust over the Christmas Break and they found out the hard way that there is no budget for such expenditures”
 
Just in case you were wondering… YES! #DonationsMatter
 
30 laptops were also sent to support students for the Cyber Defense Challenge  where participants don’t just strut their hacking stuff… they also delved deep into documentation, team building, & presentation skills. Not for slackers, that’s for sure. It was a full day for students at the Pan Pacific (apparently it was sunny outside!) and a great day for us to reach out to attendees at the BC Aware Conference and let them know they have a great option for their old computers with us.

These computers & laptops went to...​​

Thank you Coast Capital Savings and Sudden Technologies for giving us our biggest donation this year of 700 computers and 150 monitors! (We couldn't even fit all the computers in one picture!) Thank you so much for your support!

As you know, we run the Computers for Schools program in BC. Today marks the 25 anniversary and we are happy to celebrate it! Read more about it below.

Since 1993, the Computers for Schools (CFS) program has helped meet the demand for computers in Canadian classrooms and communities. This August marks the 25th anniversary of the program, a milestone proudly shared by provincial and territorial program affiliates across the country. In the course of those 25 years, the CFS program refurbished and delivered over 1.5 million computers.

This year, Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) also announced the
Connecting Families initiative to increase Internet accessibility for low-income Canadians.
As part of this initiative, a target of 50,000 additional computers will also be distributed to
eligible families through the CFS program.

“For the past 25 years, the CFS program has provided individuals from under-represented
groups with the tools and educational resources they need to thrive in our society and it is
with great pride that we mark this milestone anniversary,” said the Honourable Navdeep
Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). “The continued
growth and success of the program plays an important role in sustaining the innovation
culture so crucial to succeeding in the digital economy.”

“The Computers for Schools program has provided millions of Canadians with resources
and opportunities to build essential digital skills,” said Toby Harper-Merrett, Executive
Director of CFSC-OPEC. “The continued work of the CFS affiliates contributes to digital
access that has become fundamental to economic participation."

“Providing affordable Internet service for low-income families is another important step
towards bridging digital divides that perpetuate in Canada,” added Mr. Harper-Merrett,
noting “Yet, as the CFS program continues to grow and refurbish more computers, it relies
on the support of corporate technology donors.”
​
“The CFS program is about providing opportunities,” said Karen Kerr, Executive Director of
Computers for Schools Manitoba. “Women are underrepresented in technology
occupations - I have been involved with the program since 1995 and have seen first-hand
how CFS provides resources to help make digital skills accessible to women and other
under-represented groups.”

We couldn't run the Computers for Schools program without your continued support.​​ 
​Below are donors who supported us this month.