National Highlights Archive

Donated Laptops Help Families Stay Connected During Overseas Deployments

Operation Homefront, in collaboration with CDW Government LLC (CDW-G), a leading provider of technology solutions to government, education and healthcare customers, today will present laptop computers to service members in the rank of private through sergeant and their families from the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley.

Troops rely on correspondence from family members during demanding deployments, and while many soldiers have access to email while deployed at remote outposts, including sites throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, the situation is often different for their families back home. The families of many soldiers beginning their Army careers are often not able to afford computers. As a result, they must rely on conventional mail, which can take weeks to arrive, or costly phone calls to stay in touch. Operation Homefront strives to support these American soldiers deployed overseas by linking them more effectively with their families through email communication and other electronic means using computers donated by sponsors such as CDW-G.

"We are grateful that through our continued partnership with Operation Homefront, we are able to honor the sacrifice of military families and help alleviate some of the stress they often feel when separated from their deployed family members,” said Brigadier General John Howard (Ret.), CDW-G Department of Defense (DoD) business development manager. “While email can never replace the presence of a parent or spouse at home, these laptops provide a vital connection to home when it is needed the most.”

CDW, named one of the nation’s best employers for military veterans by Military Times EDGE and named to G.I. Jobs’ Top 100 Military Friendly Employers® list, worked with Operation Homefront to donate the laptops to the soldiers and families at Fort Riley. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has delivered more than 5,000 computers to military families. Corporations interested in donating computers should contact Operation Homefront. Individuals interested in donating computers should contact their local chapter of Operation Homefront.

“Although we can never take the sacrifice out of a deployment, we hope that the laptops will help improve the quality of life for our military personnel and their families,” said Amy Palmer, chief operating officer for Operation Homefront. “Without the means to afford computers, many soldiers and their families must wait to hear from one another, which can affect morale on and off the battlefield. However, with the help of CDW-G, many families of deployed soldiers can now communicate daily, easing concerns of worried loved ones.”

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View KSN's local news coverage of the event.