The Los Angeles County has stepped up its tech game this holiday season by distributing 1,000 laptops to military veterans, aiming to patch up the digital rift that often leaves underserved communities in a lurch. The "Delete The Divide" initiative, detailed in a bulletin released by the County, showcases this campaign’s efforts to ensure that those who have served the nation can now access vital online resources, from connecting with family to snagging job opportunities.
In a rapid show of need, the campaign was swamped with responses, maxing out the available slots within days. Veterans spanning across the service branches — including the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Space Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard — hustled to secure their spot in line. This rush to connect indicates the pervasive nature of the technology gap impacting veterans. The lucky thousand that completed the needs assessment on time will have their tech needs met, as per the County's plans detailed in their announcement.
The laptop hand-off will take place at 15 different County Library locations over two days, December 22 and 23. Pre-registered veterans will meet with "Delete The Divide" staff to collect their gadgets, funded by the County's coffers and signed off by the Board of Supervisors. Interested media can catch interviews on the first day of distribution, adding a personal touch to the coverage of this crucial support program.
Thus far, "Delete The Divide" has notched up more than 2,500 laptop donations throughout Los Angeles County. Heading into 2024, ambitions are set high with plans to hand out an additional 7,500 laptops. Funding for this tech boon comes from both the American Rescue Plan Act and a generous grant from the California Public Utilities Commission, ensuring the program's vitality.
For those interested in the specifics of the distribution or looking to support the "Delete The Divide" cause, everything you need is just a click away on their website. Visitors can also find a directory of the libraries dishing out tech, from the A C Bilbrew Library in Baldwin Park to the West Hollywood Library, and many in between — all with convenient parking for veterans swinging by to pick up their new laptops.
