Wireless giant helps Boys and Girls Clubs connect

Ebony Duell, Henderson (N.C.) Daily Dispatch
·2 min read

Oct. 23—eduell@hendersondispatch.com; 252-436-2839

HENDERSON — The Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central N.C. received $379,830 in wireless hotspots and service from U.S. Cellular. The service will last for two years for free.

The hotspots help to provide children of the Boys and Girls Clubs with internet connectivity at the club and home, aiming to ensure equitable access to learning and maintaining local youth connections during the school year.

These hotspots will help to enhance connectivity at the Henderson club in Vance County, as well as clubs in Franklin, Granville, Halifax, and Warren counties. They also will also be loaned out to families who may need internet at home.

Thursday, U.S. Cellular and the Henderson club celebrated the hotspots arriving with Boys and Girls Club members, Henderson City Councilman Jason Spriggs, and others participating.

"Access is critical to any young person to achieve anything," said D.J. Jones, chief executive officer for Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central N.C. "Access, exposure, and opportunities and these hotspots provide all three."

The Boys and Girls Clubs planned to use the hotspots for several programs including academics, workforce development, career aspirations, internet safety, job searches for high school students and researching colleges.

Once a student takes a hotspots home, anyone in their house can use it for internet access.

Throughout 2021, U.S. Cellular has donated $2.6 million in hot spots and wireless service to 33 Boys and Girls Clubs. The company has donated more than $20.8 million to nonprofits across the country, along with countless experiences and technology items.

"For us, it's important to give back to the communities that we live, work, and play in," said Jeremy Taylor, director of sales for U.S. Cellular. "It's just important to be engaged in your community. It wasn't a grant or anything like that. It was U.S. Cellular saying this is important and we want to make sure you have what you need when it comes to future leaders."