When the TCPS Education Foundation Board learned of the “Digital Divide” that impacted hundreds of students’ learning during the closure of schools this past Spring, they quickly took action. In mid-June they launched the Digital Divide Campaign, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools and Easton Utilities, and set a goal to raise $60,000 to connect 300 families who are unable to afford the cost of internet service.
Since kicking-off the campaign,more than 70 generous donors have committed nearly $25,000 in online donations, checks and pledges. While the Board is pleased with this progress, they know there is still a long way to go to achieve the $60,000 goal.
“We have 200 more families to go,” said Rebecca Firth, Ph.D., Vice Chair of the Education Foundation, when the total reached $20,000. “No child should be denied access to equitable learning opportunities in Talbot County. We want to see every family fully connected by the start of school at the end of August. Please help by contributing to the TCPSEF Digital Divide Fund.”
L-R: Dr. Michael Fisher; Laura Heikes, Chair; Richard Marks; Rebecca Firth, Ph.D., Vice Chair; and Juanita Hopkins
The Foundation would like to recognize and thank the donors who have contributed to the campaign to date (7/17/2020) and encourages other members of the community to consider supporting this very important project.
Chip and Sally Akridge
Tom Alspach
Denise Bode
Richard Bodorff
William and Ruth Boicourt
Bramble Fund at the Mid-Shore
Community Foundation
Pamela Bright
Ed and Laura Cassidy
Pamela Clay
Simon and Marcelle Cooper
George Dappert and Judy Wixted
Sara Jane Davidson
Annie Decker
Denis Del Pino
Constance Del Nero
Tom and Anne De Marco
John and Susan Devlin
Dr. Computer
Roy Droege
Jerry and Michaela Early
Easton High Alumni Association
Linda Fair
Anna Ficthner
David and Gwen Fike
Beau Firth
Doug and Becky Firth
Michael Firth
Susie Firth
Michael and Karen Fisher
Sara Fitzroy
Nick Fox
Howard and Liz Freedlander
Amy Gardner
General Roofing
Al Gipe
Jonathan and Dorothy Goldweitz
Kelly Griffith
Heather Hall
George Hamilton
Lauren Harton
Terrell Hebert
Jeannie Hechmer
Laura Heikes
Jean Hemphill
Tom and Cathy Hill
Lindsey Hill
Jeremy Hillyard
Juanita Hopkins
Lucie Hughes
Tim Kagan
Jane Kasper
Evan and Annie Kruger
Richard Marks and Amy Haines
Cristy Morrell
Jo Ann Murray
Jerry and Tot O’Mara
Paris Foods
Jon Powers
Penelope Rayzi
Peggy Rennels
Jim and Margy Robfogel
Ann Ryan
Sheila Scott
Eunice Shearer
Shore United Bank
Heinrich Schmitz
David Short
Karen Singleton
Al and Eleanor Smith
Eva Smorzaniuk
Debbie Starkey
Jean Startt
Vanessa Sullivan
William Thomas
David Valliant
Bobby and Mary Van Fossan
Karen Van Trieste
Veronica Wainright
Dan Watson & Brenda Stone
Elizabeth Williams
Harvey and Louisa Zendt
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online at www.tcpsedfoundation.org, or through this direct link: https://m-scf.networkforgood.com/projects/102815-digital-divide-campaign. You can also mail a check to The TCPS Digital Divide Fund, ℅ The Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 102 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601. For more more information, contact Debbie Gardner, Coordinator of Public Relations and Special Programs at 410-822-0330, ext. 102.
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Richard Marks says
Better news since going to press. More donations in the past 24 hours have put us over the halfway mark so thanks to all the new donors whose names did not get mentioned above:
Jenny Stanley, Patrice and Herb Miller, Jim and Cindy Reed, Diane Rohman, Cathy McCoy, Scotti LeCates, Gerry and Micaela Early, Lynn Freeburger, Elizabeth North, Courtney and Scott Pastrick, Bill and Ruth Ritchie, Gail Romain, Suzanne Schneider Chris and Meg Walsh, Philip and Irmy Webster, Constance and Rosario Del Nero, Bill Brashares, Jeff and Beth Horstman, Gretchen Messick, Gerson and Samantha Martinez, Susan Russell, Karen Filbert, Lauren Harton, Chris and Sarah Koch, Faye Mauro, Mike Keene, Tim and Meg Moran, Cindy Palinkas, Earl and Susan Segal, Krystyn Williams, Casey Firth. THANKS ALL.
”Digital Divide addresses a pressing need in our community. We understand the urgency to meet our goal by the beginning of the school year. We encourage our friends and neighbors to join us on this critical mission.”