outreach – SomeGadgetGuy

April 9, 2014April 8, 2014

Habitat for Humanity and AT&T Digitial Life Revitalize U.S. Communities

Kicking off at an event on April 10th, AT&T Digital Life employees will work alongside a Habitat for Humanity homeowner family to build a new home in Atlanta.

As part of a $150,000 donation from Digital Life, this will be the first of several future events in cities like LA, New York, and Seattle as part of a community revitalization collaboration with Habitat.

“We’re all about giving homeowners peace of mind. As a result, we’re compelled to work with Habitat for Humanity to help those who need the security that owning a home can provide,” said Kevin
Petersen, senior vice president, Digital Life, Inc. “Giving back through home builds across the country and in our hometown of Atlanta feels right.”

Full PR below for more info on the partnership.

Continue reading “Habitat for Humanity and AT&T Digitial Life Revitalize U.S. Communities”

October 16, 2013October 15, 2013

Regal Entertainment Group to release ‘The Stream’ Oct. 18 – A film benefiting Boys and Girls Club of America

It’s crucial that we find ways to bring technology and tools to children, engage them, encourage them to learn how to use the tools which will make up future carriers. For example, producing and distributing a feature film can make a significant impact on a number of kids.

With support from AT&T Aspire and Taco Bell’s Foundation for Teens, Dreaming Tree Foundation produced ‘The Stream’ starring Rainn Wilson, Christopher Gorham, Mario Lopez, and Kelly Rutherford. The film takes place in 1981 and follows a group of kids looking for adventure in the vein of their favorite movie Star Wars. Following the local stream, dodging bullies, and getting caught in a nasty storm, it looks like a solid family friendly kid adventure.

Regal Entertainment Group will be showing ‘The Stream’ at select Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theaters starting October 18th. The majority of all revenue generated by the film will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of America. While that’s certainly a generous contribution to a worthwhile organization which helps millions of kids across the country, the production of this film is equally exciting.

In making the film, almost 200 kids had some hand in creating it. From working on set or assisting in the post production and editing, members of BGCA got a little real world experience producing. I was not involved with Boys Club growing up, but I got to benefit from a number of similar programs. Those experiences were critically formative.

For more info on the film, check out www.thestreammovie.com.

More information on Dreaming Tree, Foundation for Teens, and AT&T Aspire’s contributions to this film.

October 4, 2013October 5, 2013

Video: Discussing Technology’s Role in Child Sex Trafficking: Carol Smolenski, Executive Director ECPAT

I’m a futurist. I believe most of the solutions to problems facing humanity will involve our ability to apply tech. It’s always a shock discovering that those same tools that I enjoy can be used to support some vile behaviors.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Carol Smolenski, the Executive Director of ECPAT, an organization which provides educational materials, outreach, and supports law enforcement in reducing child sex trafficking. They were recently honored by The Hilton Foundation winning the 2013 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize.

It was a sobering discussion to realize that child abuse imagery is on the rise around the world, and we spent some time discussing what technology’s role might be in solving this problem.

For more info please visit:
http://www.ECPAT.net
http://www.ECPATUSA.org