250 Laptops. 250 New Opportunities.
For many of the children who received laptops last week, it was the first computer they could truly call their own — not one borrowed from a school, library, or family member.
Through a partnership between Derrick Brooks Charities, AT&T, and Compudopt, 250 refurbished laptops were distributed to members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast and their families across three counties during back-to-back events Tuesday and Wednesday.
The distributions took place at the Emerald Coast Boys & Girls Club in Fort Walton Beach and the Boys & Girls Club of Escambia County in Pensacola, with 125 laptops provided at each location. Recipients from Escambia, Okaloosa, and Walton counties were preselected based on demonstrated need.
“Tonight, you could see what opportunity looks like on a child’s face,” said Shervin Rassa, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. “From the earliest grades through high school, having a device at home is essential to stay on track with assignments, connect safely online, and explore new possibilities.”
Beyond the laptops, eligible families may also qualify for up to one year of AT&T Fiber at no cost through a philanthropic program administered by Compudopt — helping ensure students not only have a device, but also reliable internet access.
This initiative directly addresses the digital divide — a gap in access to technology and reliable internet that became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. By equipping students with the tools they need to learn, create, and connect, the partnership is helping close that gap and open doors for families across the Emerald Coast.
As Rassa shared, “Thanks to Derrick Brooks Charities, AT&T, and Compudopt, we’re closing a gap we all saw so clearly during COVID — and opening doors for families throughout our community.”
