Fort McMurray Fires: Alberta CFS to Provide Computers for Children Relocated to Edmonton and Calgary Schools

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - May 23, 2016) - As Canadians rally to support the thousands of evacuated families from the Fort McMurray area, Alberta Computers for Schools (ACFS) is lending a hand by supplying computers to the Edmonton Public School District (EPSD) and the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) for the children that have been temporarily relocated into their schools.

"We have all been affected by this situation and it is an honor to be able to contribute to the relief efforts", said Kari Cope, Executive Director of ACFS. "Being able to help kids get access to technology in the classroom is always rewarding, but being able to help kids that have gone through this terrible disaster get back to a more normal life in the classroom is doubly rewarding."

ACFS is also providing equipment to employees of the Fort McMurray School District that have been relocated in the Alberta Education offices in Edmonton. "We know that they will need a lot more computers for the schools when they are able to move back home and we will be there to support them at that point as well."

CFS is a national program that refurbishes and delivers, at little or no cost, technology and training donated by government organizations, private businesses and individuals in support of digital inclusion and economic participation. Computers are distributed to schools and community organizations for youth, seniors, low-income Canadians, new Canadians, First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, and other eligible recipients.

The computers are being transported to ACFS facilities thanks to the collaboration of CN, a longstanding partner of the CFS program.

"CN has a long-running partnership with the CFS program, helping to move computers across the country and ultimately providing access to technology so necessary in our digital society," said Mike Cory, CN senior vice president, Western Region. "We are pleased to continue to work with CFS and help bring computers to Alberta students who have been forced from their homes and their schools."

About CFSC-OPEC

Computers for Success Canada (CFSC-OPEC) is a national non-profit organization established in 2005, focusing its services on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's CFS program and the impacts of digital inclusion and economic participation. CFSC's services stand in four pillars - marketing and communications, partnership development, project management, and strategic planning.