SAP National Security Services said it has donated $20,000 to the Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools to purchase technology support for students in need as they prepare to transition to distance learning amid COVID-19.
The foundation has established the Access for All Fund to provide resources to students in need so they can continue to be connected to their classrooms and learning environments. SAP NS2 funds will be allocated toward Mi-Fis, laptops and supplies for students.
“There’s never been a more critical time for business leaders to step up to help narrow the digital divide for these young learners,” said Mark Testoni, CEO of SAP NS2. “No matter where we do business, there’s a technology gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ in our own backyards.”
The struggle to learn outside the classroom is exacerbated for students with little to no access to technology.
“Nearly 60,000 FCPS students who live in poverty need access to the internet in order to learn effectively from their homes,” said Elizabeth Murphy, executive director of the Foundation for FCPS. “Donations like this one will allow us to support our most vulnerable students and their families as we navigate through this crisis.”
SAP NS2 has also pledged to donate $10,000 per month to food banks in regions where employees live and work.