Give Love Feel Good launched its fifth year of charitable campaigns, focusing on this year on closing the digital divide for young people.
“The digital divide speaks to the growing distance between those who have digital literacy and connectivity, and those who do not,” said Katie Bowden, President of Duke Creative Collective, the sponsor agency behind Give Love Feel Good, in a press release.
“COVID-19 has highlighted that gap, especially for school children, who may be asked to learn online while in lockdown, and for those in high school who attend class in a virtual environment every second day.”
The digital divide is an issue becoming more prominent in communities around the world. It is a phenomenon that is more severe in areas with no connectivity, low quality and outdated Internet infrastructure, or without the financial resources to take advantage of technology.
This year’s campaign partners are The Feel Good Store and Emera New Brunswick. Emera has been working to lessen the digital divide in Saint John and last year donated $15,000 to Hazen White-St. Francis school to purchase classroom iPads. The school now has iPads for 40 of their 155 students.
Rob Belliveau, General Manager of Emera New Brunswick, said access to digital devices at a young age position students for improved digital literacy and greater access to information, school and employment opportunities.
Two socially distanced ways to take part in the campaign are making a tax-deductible donation of iPads for in-school use or purchasing a new/refurbished iPad and having it shipped to one of five community organizations where for children and families can use it.
The Feel Good Store owner Anne McShane has created a Give Love Feel Good Valentine’s Day basket that will be awarded to a lucky participant or business. The draw will be made on February 26.
“Saint John’s priority neighbourhoods and the schools that serve them are struggling with the digital divide,” said Bowden. “More and more these days, the tasks of daily life – paying bills, applying for jobs, keeping in touch with friends and family – require access to the devices required to get online. This is a barrier we can overcome.”
For more information on how to make a donation and participate in the draw, visit the campaign’s webpage.
