Coronavirus: Brown, CVS Donate To RI Distance-Learning Campaign

WOONSOCKET, RI — Woonsocket Public Schools students who are distance learning through the new coronavirus health crisis are among those poised to benefit from $400,000 in private donations to the Rhode Island Foundation. The donations included a pledge of $150,000 to purchase 750 Chromebook laptops from Woonsocket-based CVS Health.

CVS Health and Brown University were the largest donors among the 700 who donated from $25 up to the six-figure pledges from the company and the university.

"Upon learning in March that the students in Woonsocket would be moving to distance learning, I reached out to Superintendent Patrick McGee and to the Rhode Island Department of Education to work to secure Chromebooks for our students," said Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. "The call was answered with the very generous donation of $150,000 by CVS Health in collaboration with the Rhode Island Foundation and RIDE. I want to thank my community partners in enabling us to place hundreds of Chromebooks into the hands of children."

Gov. Gina Raimondo issued a challenge to state businesses to help fill the access gap in state cities and towns when she instituted distance learning as part of the coronavirus school closures on March 23. She announced last week that distance learning will remain in effect through the end of the academic year due to safety reasons associated with the pandemic.

"Recent stay-at-home orders and school closures have put many families in an extremely difficult position," said Lisa Bisaccia, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at CVS Health. "We hope that providing access to technology helps ease the burden on local families in our hometown of Woonsocket who are struggling to juggle the demands of work, school and childcare, while maintaining their own health and well-being."

The RI Department of Education said CVS Health made the largest donation with the CVS Health funding helping the Woonsocket Education Department purchase computers for students in grades 3 through 5, making sure that all students in K-12 in the city have access to computer learning while school buildings are closed.

"Seeing Rhode Islanders come together to generously support our students and our teachers is inspiring. By focusing on the tools that make distance learning possible for every student, we are making equitable learning opportunities possible during this public health crisis," said Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO Neil D. Steinberg.

The $100,000 donation from Brown University’s Fund for the Education of the Children of Providence is earmarked to support internet access for Providence students through the Cox Connect 2 Compete Program and the purchase of hotspots.

The Fund will continue to accept charitable contributions in any amount at rifoundation.org/RIEducation as long as the need continues.

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