Mobile Beacon Receives the Bridging the Gap Virtie Award

Mobile Beacon Honored at The Foundation for Florida Virtual School's Inaugural Opening Doors to the World Awards Celebration

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mobile Beacon (www.mobilebeacon.org), a nationwide leader in providing low-cost, mobile 4G Internet service exclusively to nonprofit and educational entities, was honored during The Foundation for Florida Virtual School's inaugural Opening Doors to the World Awards Celebration on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. The event, which was inspired by a quote from a Florida Virtual School® student – "Mine is not your typical classroom, it's a door to the world," honored those who have been instrumental in opening doors to educate students in Florida, the United States, and around the world.

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"As the philanthropic organization of Florida Virtual School, we recognize that it takes the commitment and innovation of many pioneering individuals and organizations to transform education worldwide, one student at a time," said Star Kraschinsky, president of The Foundation for Florida Virtual School. "The award recipients have helped to provide the platform to spark creativity and provide the necessary support to deliver high quality, technology-based education that provides the skills and knowledge students need, and deserve, to succeed."

The Bridging the Gap Virtie Award was presented to Mobile Beacon for demonstrating a resourceful approach to education.  The award illustrates the out-of-the-box thinking it takes to connect students to the technology they need to succeed. This past year, Mobile Beacon awarded a grant to The Foundation for Florida Virtual School, providing 125 brand new laptops with 4G mobile USB modems for The Foundation to use in Community Learning Centers in different regions throughout the state of Florida.

This grant represents one of the many grants Mobile Beacon has provided to K-12 schools, school districts, and higher education facilities since launching its laptop and 4G modem donation program in 2011. This program provides up to 25 laptops and 4G modems to help schools serve disadvantaged students who might not otherwise have access to these resources outside of school. In addition, as part of the grant, Mobile Beacon provides free, unlimited 4G Internet service for one year for each modem requested. After that, a grant recipient may continue the 4G service for a flat rate of $10/month. To date, Mobile Beacon has donated more than 2,300 laptops and 1,600 4G modems.

"Mobile Beacon is proud to be able to provide these technology resources to schools, that in turn, can provide them to the students who need them most," said Katherine Messier, Managing Director of Mobile Beacon.

"Our grant recipients have shared their successes with us and it continues to inspire us to do more. For example, some schools are now providing access to students whose families have had their internet service shut off, others who are currently homeless, and students with long-term illnesses who cannot attend classes," Messier added.

Other recipients of the Opening Doors to the World "Virtie" Award were Innosight Institute's Co-Founder and Executive Director Michael Horn, UCompass, Florida Virtual School Student Bailey Reese and Governor Jeb Bush.

For more information about Mobile Beacon's education donation programs, an interested school or district should visit the education section of Mobile Beacon's website.

About Mobile Beacon
Mobile Beacon is a pioneer in offering fourth generation (4G) mobile broadband services exclusively to education and nonprofit organizations across the United States. Mobile Beacon was created by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has more than 20 years experience serving the educational community and one of the largest national educational broadband service (EBS) providers in the country. Through an agreement with Clearwire, Mobile Beacon provides high-speed data services and mobile Internet access to educational and nonprofit organizations. Learn more at www.mobilebeacon.org.

About the Foundation for Florida Virtual School
The Foundation for Florida Virtual School (The Foundation for FLVS), the philanthropic organization of Florida Virtual School® (FLVS®), strives to ensure all students have access to world-class education and quality online learning opportunities that prepare them for a lifetime of success. The Foundation for FLVS invests resources to award scholarships for academic achievement, provide support for clubs and events, and extend FLVS access to students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to benefit from online education. To learn more about The Foundation for FLVS and to make a donation, visit www.flvsfoundation.org.

Contact:
Katherine Messier, 401-934-0500
Star Kraschinsky, 407-513-3456
Tania Clow, 407-513-3627

SOURCE Mobile Beacon