WHAT: Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Marie Arcos, Chief Government and Community Relations Officer at YMCA of Houston, and others will bring holiday cheer to some Third Ward residents preselected to receive free Chromebooks just in time for Christmas. The free devices are part of a countywide program launched in February when the library system received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to establish an internet connectivity campaign for Harris County residents.
WHO: Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis
Marie Arcos, Chief Government and Community Relations Officer, YMCA of Houston
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 22, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Cuney Homes Community Center | 3260 Truxillo Sts, Houston, 77004
VISUALS: Commissioner Ellis, Marie Arcos and volunteers distributing Chromebooks to children, adults, and seniors.
Santa Claus is coming to town early for some Cuney Homes residents who will receive free Chromebooks from Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and other officials working to bridge the digital divide in the County.
“It’s so special that during the holiday season we’re able to come together and solve some of the problems we see in our community,” Commissioner Ellis said. “That’s part of what the holiday season is all about.”
Officials will give devices to about 124 preselected recipients three days before Christmas in Third Ward, where many residents have been left behind in the digital age. This event is part of a program launched in February when the Harris County Public Library received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to establish a communitywide internet connectivity campaign for Harris County residents. Overall, the program involved 40,000 T-Mobile 5G MiFi hotspots with unlimited data on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network and 15,000 Google Chromebooks.
The library and over 20 community partners have distributed Google Chromebooks and T-Mobile hotspots. “Computers and internet connectivity are no longer luxury items, but rather necessary tools to make sure our children can continue to learn,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Also, it’s equally essential that adults have access to computers and internet. And there’s no better time of the year to give these gifts than the holiday season.”