Google Has Provided 17,000 Nexus 7 Tablets For Hurricane Sandy Relief

If you live in the northeastern U.S., chances are that someone you know is still being affected by Hurricane Sandy. Many businesses and facilities remain closed a year after the devastating storm, and scores of lost jobs have yet to be replaced. Google is hoping to alleviate some of these problems with a donation of 17,000 Nexus 7 tablets to the New York State Community Action Association.

"Private donations like these are critical in aiding local communities in our ongoing recovery,” said New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in a press statement. “We thank Google for helping New York build back better than before."

The New York State Community Action Association is a non-profit group and has stated it will distribute the tablets between local community centers, libraries and business development groups. Additionally, the group will also supply tablets to senior centers to help address “senior isolation” and provide older residents with a means to communicate with friends and family members.

"Google is proud to partner with Governor Cuomo and the New York State Community Action Agencies on this hardware donation," said Susan Molinari, vice president for government relations at Google and a former New York Congresswoman. "We believe that technology can and does play a compelling role in rebuilding communities to make them more resilient and stronger. Increasingly, more and more people are using technology and the Internet to educate themselves or provide for their families. Our hope is that these tablets will be a resource to do just that."

Google worked in conjunction with the NY State Department and Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey to facilitate the donation. Though the region still has a long way to go before it is fully rehabilitated from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, 17,000 Nexus 7 tablets will hopefully be a big step forward.

"I applaud Google and Governor Cuomo for coordinating a donation that focuses on strengthening our communities," said New York Secretary of State and Hurricane Sandy Donations Coordinator Cesar A. Perales. "The New York Department of State is proud to have played a role in assisting Google in this donation."

A listing of Nexus 7 tablet recipients can be found in the press release.