Day: November 3, 2013

Hometown celebrity gives back to local schools and recreation centers.rnrn rnrn rnrnPhiladelphia, October 30, 2013– Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Kevin Hart will visit several schools across the City to meet with students, teachers and administrators, whose schools will receive new laptops from a donation by Mr. Hart. In total, Mr. Hart is donating 500 computers to the City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia, including 200 desktops to the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation for use in recreation centers and 300 laptops to the District.rnrn rnrn“In order for Philadelphians to be competitive in the 21st century economy, we need to address the challenge of digital access and literacy. Ensuring our students have access to computers in their classrooms and increasing the number of public computers is critical to the future success of our citizens and City,” said Mayor Nutter. “I want to thank Kevin Hart for his incredibly generous gift to our schools, recreation centers and citizens of all ages. These computers will have a very meaningful impact on Philadelphia.”rnrn rnrnKevin Hart, who hosted the 2013 Wawa Welcome America! Philly 4th of July Jam, is a comedian, actor, writer, producer and businessman. He is a Philadelphia native.rnrn rnrn“I am blessed to be in a position that allows me to give back to the city that made me who I am,” said Kevin Hart.rnrnThe computers will be distributed to recipient schools by Friday, November 8th. The following schools will receive laptops:rnrn rnrnJohn F. Hartranft School;rnMorris E. Leeds Middle School;rnJohn F. McCloskey School;rnOverbrook Elementary School;rnRhodes Elementary School;rnAllen M. Stearne School;rnTilden Middle School; andrnMitchell S. Weir School.rn rnrn“We are extremely grateful to Kevin Hart for this generous donation,” said Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia. “These computers will allow our students to expand their studies, explore new course material, and prepare for college and careers for years to come.”rnrn rnrnIn addition, 27 local recreation facilities will also receive computers through the donation.rnrn rnrn“This generous donation of 200 computers that have been dedicated for the use in Recreation Centers near schools is an invaluable resource for our youth,” said Susan Slawson, First Deputy Commissioner for Recreation. “This gift will help thousands of young people gain necessary technology skills, bridge the digital divide and provide access to computers that otherwise wouldn’t exist.”rnrn rnrnThe list of school visit locations will be released tomorrow.