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16 A TIME FOR GIVING

‘Remote learning is so important

right now during the pandemic.’

— Rod Gramer, president and CEO of

Idaho Business for Education

If you hadn’t heard of Idaho demic,” said Rod Gramer, presi- room Idaho: Learn @ Home.” This able by contacting Maureen
Business for Education before, you dent and CEO of Idaho Business free TV programming, available in O’Toole at motoole@idahobe.org.
probably heard about the orga- for Education. approximately 99% of households,
nization throughout July and Au- Idaho Business for Education, “connected students with certi- You can help, too
gust, when the nonprofit collected commonly called IBE, is based on fied Idaho teachers” while schools Individual community members
thousands of laptops to give to membership financial support of remained closed. These efforts don’t have to be affiliated with a
Idaho students as they moved to nearly 250 Idaho businesses, each were imperative, as many homes business to support Idaho Busi-
online learning, out of necessity. joining the mission to help create don’t have computers for children ness for Education. The website,
That campaign, Close The Di- the highlighly educated, skilled to use, but almost all have TVs. idahobe.org, offers a donation
vide, is still underway, and compli- workforce employers need. Idaho Outside of the pandemic, Idaho option, and explanations of what
ments the Community Activation Business for Education “embraces Business for Education is helping collected funds sponsor.
Project, which began in April. the State Board of Education’s goal create an apprenticeship program For example, a donation of
These campaigns are necessary that 60% of our 25-34 year-olds through which youth can get cre- $350 sponsors a student with a
now more than ever as effects will have a postsecondary creden- dentials supporting various careers new Google Chromebook. Mon-
of the coronavirus continue and tial by 2025.” at both local and state levels. etary donations also contribute to
many school districts operate, at “If any business wants to join us, Through a federal grant, Idaho funding internet access — done in
least partially, online. Those who we’d love to have them,” Gramer Business for Education works with partnership with Idaho Commu-
can help with donations of un- said. “Our companies are very partner employers in developing nity Foundation — or providing
used computers or provide other generous; they support so many the program. The intent is to have other tech tools to students, such
assistance to this effort are asked nonprofits in the state. That is re- these youth connected to paid ap- as graphing calculators, which
to contact Idaho Business for ally, really great.” prenticeships. were recently purchased for one
Education communications direc- To also assist in remote learning, This, Gramer said, compliments school district.
tor Leslie Barbour at lbarbour@ Idaho Business for Education part- the Idaho Department of Labor’s “That funding is something we
idahobe.org. nered with Idaho Public Television efforts, which focus on Career can [use to] work with school districts
“Remote learning is so impor- and the State Department of Edu- Technical Education apprentice- to meet their needs,” Gramer said.
tant right now during the pan- cation in April to support “Class- ships. More information is avail-

Our mission is to be a driving force in the development of an
Idaho education system that results in graduates who have
post-secondary credentials and who are workforce ready.
– IBE mission statement
Great Schools are Good Business. (208) 287-0140

TO DONATE GO TO: idahobe.org