Businesses Increase Donations to Brevard Public Schools for Online Learning Technology

By  //  April 30, 2020

Brevard Public Schools received grants from Lockheed Martin and Truist Financial Corp.

Business and nonprofit partners of Brevard Public Schools have now contributed more than $107,000 to help students in need participate in remote instruction.

Donations will be spent on laptop computers and other devices to ensure that all Brevard students can access online lessons and assignments

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Business and nonprofit partners of Brevard Public Schools have now contributed more than $107,000 to help students in need participate in remote instruction.

Most recently, BPS and the Brevard Schools Foundation received grants from Lockheed Martin and Truist Financial Corp.

The donations will be spent on laptop computers and other devices to ensure that all Brevard students can access online lessons and assignments during coronavirus-related school closures.

“We are pleased to help students across Brevard County gain access to laptops and Wi-Fi, so they can finish the school year in this new virtual environment,” said Dr. Sarah Hiza, Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of Fleet Ballistic Missile Programs.

Truist’s grant came from its Truist Cares charitable program which supports technology initiatives with an emphasis on youth, seniors and small businesses.

Truist is the company formed from the merger of SunTrust and BB&T banks.

“We are pleased to help students across Brevard County gain access to laptops and Wi-Fi, so they can finish the school year in this new virtual environment,” said Dr. Sarah Hiza, Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of Fleet Ballistic Missile Programs.

“Because of our amazing Partners in Education, students can confidently and without added stress access learning tools, interact with their teachers, and keep up with their schoolwork,” said BPS Superintendent Mark Mullins.

“The two words ‘thank you’ do not begin to capture my appreciation and admiration for these partners’ support of our kids.”

In March, BPS supplied students in need with 2,200 Wi-Fi “hot spot” devices with support from companies including Northrop Grumman Corp., Millennium Engineering and Integration, The Viera Company and Lifestyle Homes.

Each hot spot provides a year of internet access.

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“Millennium has always focused on supporting education at all levels,” said Susan Hall, Chairman of the Board for Millennium Engineering and Integration.

“There is nothing more important than providing internet access to our local kids so they can continue their school year and stay safe during this pandemic.”

Other organizations that donated for student connectivity:

■ Dr. Chad Reddick, orthodontist
■ State Farm Insurance agents Roger Parsons, Joe Raley and Jeff Thummel
■ The Avenue Viera
■ e-Angels
■ Indian River City United Methodist Church
■ Jostens

“Because of our amazing Partners in Education, students can confidently and without added stress access learning tools, interact with their teachers, and keep up with their schoolwork,” said BPS Superintendent Mark Mullins. “The two words ‘thank you’ do not begin to capture my appreciation and admiration for these partners’ support of our kids.” (BPS image)

Corporate support was facilitated by BPS’ division of Government & Community Relations. The Brevard Schools Foundation, meanwhile, secured the grant from the Truist Charitable Foundation.

“This funding is especially critical during this time as it helps our most vulnerable students continue their education while schools are closed,” said Janice Kershaw of Brevard Schools Foundation.

“We are grateful to the Truist Charitable Foundation for stepping up to help students in Brevard.”

Anyone interested in contributing to BPS’ student-connectivity effort can do so by check or online through the Brevard Schools Foundation, 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940. Please write “student connectivity” in the check memo field.

“This funding is especially critical during this time as it helps our most vulnerable students continue their education while schools are closed,” said Janice Kershaw of Brevard Schools Foundation. “We are grateful to the Truist Charitable Foundation for stepping up to help students in Brevard.”

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