Wilmette, Community

Bank branch donates computers to local low-income seniors

Tech is always a hot gift genre around the holidays. But it can mean so much more this year.

And with that in mind, a local bank just hooked up a group of Wilmette senior citizens.

The Wilmette branch of North Shore Community Bank donated 17 refurbished computers to Shore Line Place, a senior-living facility in Wilmette, on Dec. 10.

The new computers have added meaning during a COVID-19 holiday season, when options to access technology and family are limited, especially for senior citizens.

Shore Line Place is low-income housing near the Fourth and Linden district of Wilmette that is federally subsidized.

In a press release, North Shore Community Bank said many seniors in the complex do not own computers and cannot currently access the library or other technology because of COVID-19 restrictions.

“The Shore Line Place staff is going to work with the seniors, and distribute and set up the computers,” said Kim Ogasawara, the bank’s branch manager, in the release. “This will allow the residents to connect with the outside world during the pandemic, and we hope it will make the holiday season a little brighter for those who can’t see friends and family.”

Ogasawara andCathy Pratt, president of the bank’s Wilmette location, organized this donation and worked with parent company Wintrust’s technology department to put together the delivery, according to the release.

joe coughlin
Joe Coughlin

Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319

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