Softchoice Launches POWER UP Program to Help Schools to Unleash Students' Potential

TORONTO, April 25, 2016 /CNW/ - Softchoice, a leading North American IT solutions and managed services provider, is pleased to announce the launch of POWER UP, a technology grant program for schools in need. Developed in partnership with Lenovo, POWER UP seeks to bridge the digital divide and to empower more kids to succeed through the use of technology in the classroom. Softchoice and its employees are proud to provide leadership and action on this issue, helping to unleash the potential of young people of all walks of life.

"We believe technology is a powerful tool for learning," said David MacDonald, Softchoice's President and CEO. "Yet too many students miss out on the tremendous educational benefits of technology and risk falling behind on the digital literacy skills needed for success, because their schools simply cannot afford the resources. Through POWER UP, we intend to change that."

POWER UP will award technology grants of up to $10,000 each to seven resource challenged schools in 2016. The grants will help successful applicants secure computer hardware and software to directly support learning opportunities for their students. Whether a grant is used to expand current capacity or to introduce new technology, Softchoice and Lenovo want to help POWER UP the schools that need it most.

POWER UP builds on a tradition of community investment by Softchoice and its employee-driven corporate giving program, Softchoice Cares. Since inception, this initiative has donated more than $1.5 million to local and global charitable organizations to enhance education opportunities through technology. This philanthropic spirit is central to Softchoice's award-winning corporate culture and inspires the POWER UP program. Softchoice's share of the POWER UP grant funds were raised and donated by its employees through Softchoice Cares endeavors.

"Student success and technology are linked today more than ever before, especially with STEM as an educational priority," says Colin McIsaac, General Manager, Lenovo Canada Inc. "We are excited to support a program that will help close the technology gap for the youngest students, setting them on a path of greater learning and achievement."

POWER UP is open to publicly-funded schools serving students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 in seven U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions, including: Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Toronto and Montreal. Schools can apply or be nominated to apply for a grant. More information about the program and the application form can be found at www.softchoice.com/powerup. The submission period ends November 11, 2016.

About Softchoice

As a leading North American provider of IT solutions and managed services, Softchoice combines the efficiency and reliability of a national IT supplier with the personal touch and technical expertise of a local solutions provider. Softchoice's holistic approach to the technology includes solution design, implementation, asset management and cloud services, as well as access to one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective technology distribution networks in North America. We believe technology is a powerful tool in creating positive change and a better world for everyone. Our employee-driven philanthropic program, Softchoice Cares, focusses on helping to "bridge the digital divide" and provide equal access to education and knowledge through technology in communities across North America and around the world.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a $46 billion global Fortune 500 company and a leader in providing innovative consumer, commercial, and enterprise technology. Lenovo's portfolio of high-quality, secure products and services covers PCs (including the legendary Think and multimode YOGA brands), workstations, servers, storage, and a family of mobile products like smartphones (including the Moto brand), tablets and apps. For more information, see www.lenovo.com.

SOURCE Softchoice Corporation

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