ConnectKentucky, AT&T Foundation Donate Computers to Area Organizations

Four nonprofits serve vulnerable populations

FRANKLIN--Four Frankfort Kentucky area organizations serving children or disadvantaged individuals or families got an early holiday treat recently with the donation of five refurbished computers from ConnectKentucky through a grant from the AT&T Foundation.

The Franklin County organizations receiving the computers are PUSH Early Childhood Development Center, Franklin County Women’s Shelter, Franklin–Anderson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and Simon House.

“AT&T is honored to partner with ConnectKentucky to ensure that all Kentucky children and their families have the opportunity to develop the critical skills they need to be successful,” said AT&T Kentucky President Mary Pat Regan. “These students will one day be the leaders of our Commonwealth so investing in their future is the right thing to do.”

Each of the nonprofits received one computer except Simon House, which received two.

“The current residents in the Simon House are either pursuing college, or are in college or have some college education. The more computer skills they can obtain, the better their chances for employment opportunities,” said Simon House Executive Director Pamela McCalla. “Currently, six families share one computer and the residents have access during working hours to another computer. When the donated computer no longer worked, we were grateful for the call from ConnectKentucky offering us two refurbished computers. The children in the house don’t feel out of sync with their peers by having access to a computer in the house. It helps maintain a stable environment for the families going through temporary transition.”

“Connecting people is what we are all about,” said ConnectKentucky Executive Director Rene' True. “Thanks to the generosity of the AT&T Foundation, we were able to help some organizations that serve countless families and individuals here in the Commonwealth.”

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ConnectKentucky to honor the Commonwealth’s technology leaders

Annual Tech Day, sponsored by CBTS, to be held at Great American Ball Park

Frankfort, KY— ConnectKentucky will again honor the Commonwealth’s technology leaders at its 2011 Tech Day on April 29, 2011.

The 5th annual awards will be presented at a new venue – Great American Ball Park before the Cincinnati Reds host the Florida Marlins. The event is sponsored this year by CBTS. ConnectKentucky is soliciting nominations for awards in the following categories:

• Small Business Technology Award goes to a small business that has successfully used broadband technology to broaden its customer reach and provide a positive example of technology use and capabilities in the Commonwealth.
• Large Business Technology Award goes to a large business that has successfully used broadband technology to broaden its customer reach and act as a leader in technology use in the Commonwealth.
• New and Emerging Business Technology Award goes to a start-up business that has successfully used broadband technology as a vehicle for growth and has acted as a model for other emerging Kentucky businesses.
• Secondary Student Technology Award goes to a Kentucky high school student who has recognized the benefits of using broadband technology and promotes and implements its use in creative and inspiring ways.
• Postsecondary Student Technology Award goes to a Kentucky college student who has recognized the benefits of using broadband technology and promotes and implements its use in creative and inspiring ways.
• School District Technology Award goes to a Kentucky school district that has successfully used broadband technology to enhance the educational capacity of its institutions as well as inform students and parents of the value of broadband adoption.
• Postsecondary Institution Technology Award goes to a Kentucky postsecondary institution that has successfully used broadband technology to enhance its educational capacity as well as provide students with an improved educational experience us¬ing broadband technology.
• Government Leadership in Technology Award goes to a state or local government that has utilized broadband technology to improve effectiveness and effi¬ciency in areas such as budgeting and service delivery.

Nominations are due by April 1, 2011. For more information about the nominations or to receive a nomination form, contact ConnectKentucky Executive Director René True at rtrue@connectky.org. More information and downloadable nomination forms are available at www.connectkentucky.org.

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