$15,000 grant made to help older Tennesseans with computers, technology
MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. – The West Madison Senior Center held an event Thursday that made them proud.
Spectrum presented the United Way of West Tennessee with a $15,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant to help fund its United for Digital Access Program.
In return, United Way is using the grant to help older Tennesseans become familiar with computers and technology.
“They can go online and do it right here some days that they’re here. Internet access here, laptops here, they’re able to do that whereas when they get home or they are in a farther area out in the county, they can’t do that,” said Lisa Bobbitt, the Executive Director of West Madison Senior Center.
United Way of West Tennessee President Matt Marshall stated that they are very proud to be able to help and that seniors should always be at the top of that list.
“Really grateful to partner with Spectrum and be able to offer devices to individuals who normally might not have access to that but who are also forgotten. And so in the grand scheme of that, it is very important,” Marshall said.
We spoke with Rep. Johnny Shaw who stated that the State of Tennessee has received federal grant dollars to make sure that broadband is all over the state. He’s excited that the area is receiving everything that it needs to press forward.
“One of the things that this governor has done, he has focused on rural Tennessee. And you’re going to see more growth in rural Tennessee over the next few years than anywhere else,” Shaw said.
This is one of 46 different grants that Spectrum has awarded this year for digital education.
“This is our first chance to be out here and fund the United Way of West Tennessee. So hopefully we will be here years to come,” said Jonathan Dunagin, Manager of Regional Communication for Spectrum.
In addition to the grant, 15 laptops were donated to United Way of West Tennessee.
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