By now, most of us are familiar with “Zoom Attire” which includes a nicely ironed button up shirt or a blouse, perhaps some scholarly glasses, and definitely sweatpants or PJ bottoms! Our society has incredibly navigated and adapted quickly to hosting corporate meetings, events, and even concerts online.
The Football Hockey Link Society in Calgary has done just that. Normally, the FHL would have been hosting several training camps for immigrant youth participating in football and hockey. FHL’s program is unique in that they support immigrant children and youth with integrating into the Canadian society by connecting them to their local sports associations.
Many parents know that it can be costly to have their children participate in sports. Proper equipment alone can cost hundreds of dollars in combination with fees. When FHL transitioned their in-person training camps to a digital “Zoom-camp”, they reached out to the Electronic Recycling Association requesting laptops for their youth participants to utilize. FHL’s online Zoom-camp invites participants to grab a sick and ball, and use a computer with a camera and microphone to have fun with their FHL friends.
Understandably, not every member has access to a computer with a camera. FHL reached out to the ERA explaining their program, seeing if the ERA can provide equipment to those in need. Proudly, the ERA is happy to announce the donation of one laptop and a webcam to one FHL member. This donation will help the parents off-set the cost of purchasing a brand-new laptop for their kids.
In response to the COVID pandemic and the shutdowns that followed, the ERA launched their Lending Laptops donation program. Through Lending Laptops, we have been able to provide families in need with computers and laptops to keep them connected to loved ones, work from home safely, and for their children to complete school through a digital platform. The FHL and many other organizations have shifted to online programs to continue supporting their participants and the communities they operate in. The ERA is proud to continue providing refurbished IT devices to support our community.
You can help the ERA provide laptops, computers, monitors, printers, webcams, and more to those on our waiting list, consider dropping off your devices to one of our 7 depots across Canada, or by booking a free pickup. Your unwanted devices can go towards helping a local organization fulfill their commitment of supporting the communities they operate in.