I’m going to apologize in advance for a large number of posts this afternoon. The Blandin Foundation has just announced a round of broadband grant awards and I want to post each award individually so that it’s easier to access in the archive and so that each community will have its own post to promote. Thanks!

Blandin Foundation awards broadband grant to Winona Senior Friendship Center, connecting older adults to community

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn (July 21, 2014) – Blandin Foundation announced today that it has awarded six grants totaling $123,190 that assist rural Minnesota communities in advancing high-speed Internet access and use in their communities, including a grant in the Winona area.

The Winona Senior Friendship Center Activity Council, Inc. will provide access to videoconferencing technology to older adults, with support of a $10,000 Blandin Foundation grant. The technology will be used to connect those who are no longer able to travel on their own to social and educational programs at the Friendship Center.

“Due to illness, transportation or other inhibitors, older adults can become isolated,” said Winona Senior Friendship Center Director Malia Fox. “With the Blandin Innovation grant we hope to see a rise in older adults use and comfort of technology, as well as a decrease in isolation and health issues.”

Older adults will learn to use the technology in their homes from Winona State University student volunteers. Contact Winona Friendship Center Director Malia Fox at 507-454-5212 for more information.

“Rural leaders know that connected communities are vibrant communities,” said Dr. Kathleen Annette, CEO of Blandin Foundation. “We are delighted to see the Winona Senior Friendship Center nurture community connections through the use of high-speed Internet.”