In this most unusual of Decembers, we wish our donors, clients, partners in business, suppliers and volunteers peace and hope this holiday season.
The past twelve months have been a test for the reBOOT Canada community and we sincerely appreciate the adjustment our donors and clients have made to adapt to measures we have undertaken in response to the pandemic. Your cooperation and understanding have been essential to our ability to weather these circumstances and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve you.
I would like to recognise and applaud the remarkable efforts of the reBOOT Canada staff. Despite significant challenges, they adapted and ensured the continuous availability of reBOOT Canada programs and services. When donations were reduced to near zero for several months, Lars Verholt and his team to responded quickly to a sharp increase in demand for refurbished computers, through our Peel Computers 4 U program, the growing Toronto Technology Supports for Children program, and the Canada-wide reSTART program. In six months, they’ve fulfilled more requests than in the entire previous year. Krijn, Scott, Kim, Dakota and Leif will be enjoying a very well deserved and over-due break in the next week: thank you for your great work.
In August we welcomed Shazad Chaudhary to the team to lead our Community reLAY project with the support of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) and Indigenous Services Canada. In a short time, we have connected with many indigenous communities across Turtle Island and we turn our focus to building our team of local youth to head-up the free wi-fi hot spot deployments in their communities.
As an organization, this year we took steps to articulate how our activities align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, specifically in the areas of Education, Youth Programming and Business. As we continue on our journey of understanding and partnership with First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities we encourage everyone to be familiar with the Calls to Action and consider what we can do as individuals and leaders in our communities and organizations to advance the cause of a respectful and fair Canada.
This past September we lost a dear friend, Keith Ford. We are thankful for the outpouring of support and affection for Keith from the many people he touched and our thoughts are with his family during this holiday season.
The distribution of a vaccine to the general public is now in sight, however still months away for most of us. We thank you for your continued social distancing and mask-wearing. To all frontline health-care and first responders, we are grateful for your service and care.
On behalf of the reBOOT Canada Team, may the holidays and the new year be full of hope.
