Rain and clouds were no match for the enthusiastic crowds in attendance during Military Appreciation Day, Tuesday, August 28, at the Minnesota State Fair. Comcast was honored to be part of the festivities as we announced a new technology partnership with the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), and highlighted the recent expansion of our low-cost broadband adoption program, Internet Essentials, for low-income veterans.
Comcast presented MACV Executive Director, Neil Loidolt with a commitment of $45,000 in grants and technology for MACV housing properties across the Twin Cities. In addition, several members of the MACV community received free laptop computers and six-months of complimentary Internet Essentials service.
Joining in the ceremony were Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists from the 2018 U.S. Women’s Hockey Team, and Rico Roman, U.S. Paralympian Gold Medalist on the National Sled Hockey Team and Purple Heart recipient. Comcast Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, David L. Cohen presided over the presentation.
Later in the day, Comcast and United Heroes League hosted a special event at the Science Museum of Minnesota, announcing the company’s financial support of the organization’s mission to empower military families to stay healthy and active by helping ease the financial burden of sports activities. Once again, Comcast also presented free laptop computers and six-months of complimentary Internet Essentials service to more than 40 United Heroes League families in attendance.
Internet Essentials is the largest and most comprehensive broadband adoptions program for low-income families in the U.S., having connected more than six million individuals to the internet over the past seven years. The program’s most recent expansion means nearly one million low-income veterans across the country – including 20,000 in the Twin Cities – are now eligible for Internet Essentials.
“This program has had an enormous impact on millions of families and children who now have high-speed Internet at home, many for the first time,” said Cohen. “We’re excited to extend that same opportunity to more than one million, low-income veterans. Veterans have stood up for our country; now it’s time for us to stand up for them by providing access to life-changing digital tools and resources.”
To learn more about Internet Essentials, click here.
