credit: Why Not? Foundation

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, schools are closed down and students are having to continue their education from home. For many families, this is a challenge as not all kids have working computers that allow them to access the materials they need to keep up with their classwork. Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook is stepping up and donating 650 laptops for local students to help with the transition to online learning.

Westbrook’s charitable organization, Why Not Foundation?, is spearheading the campaign to help students and families who don’t have the technology needed to make the sudden transition to online education.

“I’m extremely excited to be able to collaborate with Comp-U-Dopt and find ways to be able to impact the youth immediately,” Westbrook said at a press conference with Mayor Sylvester Turner. “It’s something that I’m very, very passionate about through my foundation, and I’m just trying to find a way — especially now — to be able to bridge the gap, and give kids access to another way of learning, through computers. This allows them to be able to continue their education, especially from home. I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Comp-U-Dopt has provided Houston-area families with almost 1,000 computers since the crisis began, and they’ve said that roughly 4 out of 5 recipients are living in households with less than $35,000 a year income.

“The generous gift will allow us to significantly increase our inventory and ensure we can to continue to close the gap for Houston families most in need,” said Colin Dempsey, executive director at Comp-U-Dopt.

Mayor Turner said the donations were huge for students and families dealing with the new reality in this current climate.

“This donation will be a gamechanger for many students and their families coping with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The generous contribution will help young people stay focused on their education at home and until they can return to their classroom,” Turner said.

Now more than ever, we need our internet providers to help our students close the digital divide in our city. @russwest44 through his Why Not? Foundation and Comp U Dot will donate 650 laptops for students in our city to assist them with their digital education. #COVID19

— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) April 13, 2020

To learn more, visit the Why Not Foundation? online.