Comcast, the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, today announced a $60,000 grant benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Hampshire.  The donation will be used to enhance the ability of all seven clubs statewide to deliver innovative programs in the crucial areas of Internet Safety and computer literacy.

“We are very pleased that Comcast has chosen to support our Internet safety initiatives for our members and their families,” said Mary Ann Oppenheimer, statewide director of advancement for the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Hampshire.  “Children today are surrounded by technology, so it is vital that they learn the safe, effective use of these tools that are part of their daily lives.” 

The Clubs will use the majority of the funds to acquire online and off-line materials developed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children that teach children about cyber-bullying and harassment and provide guidance for adults as well as children.  Club members will learn to safely communicate, play games and conduct research online, using a common-sense approach to safety.  The Clubs will require children to participate in this program before receiving computer-lab privileges.

“We are excited about deepening our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Hampshire as Clubs across the state empower children, parents, teachers and caregivers to safely take advantage of the resources that exist online,” said Sue Wante, Area Vice President of Comcast in New Hampshire.   ”We know that Internet safety is an important issue, which is why we are supporting this important program along with our many other Internet safety initiatives in New Hampshire.”

Comcast is a long-time supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Hampshire.  Among other initiatives, the company offers free Internet service to the Clubs as well as New Hampshire schools and libraries. 

Comcast also has supported several Internet literacy and Internet safety initiatives in New Hampshire, including public summits, workshops and training sessions for teachers.  Comcast also offers Internet safety tutorials On Demand that teach viewers about the different tools and techniques available to them.  The programs are available to all of Comcast’s digital cable customers for no additional charge in the “Get Local” category of On Demand, under the title “Internet Safety.”  Comcast also provides complimentary security software from McAfee to all of its high-speed Internet customers and shares updated alerts and other relevant information with the public at www.comcast.net/security.

About Boys & Girls Club in New Hampshire
Last year the seven Boys & Girls Clubs in New Hampshire served over 19,000 members ages 6-18, from 82 communities, through programs and activities run at 28 program sites and 16 school-based sites.   Clubs are headquartered in Concord, Derry, Lakes Region (Laconia), Manchester, Nashua, Salem, Souhegan Valley (Milford).  Boys & Girls Clubs in New Hampshire is proud to be part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.  For more information about New Hampshire Clubs, go to www.nhbgc.com.  

About The Comcast Foundation
The Comcast Foundation was established by Comcast Corporation in 1999 to provide charitable support to Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.  The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact in the areas of volunteerism, literacy, and youth leadership development.  Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $43 million to organizations in the communities that Comcast serves nationwide.  More information about the Foundation and its programs is available at www.comcast.com/neighborhood.

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