Saskatoon business helping those in quarantine stay connected

One Saskatoon business is helping people stay connected in these strange times by making use of old and unused electronic devices.

Bolt Mobile started an initiative called Operation Lifeline that takes donated old phones and tablets, gets them in working condition and gives them to care homes and hospitals so those stuck in quarantine conditions can stay connected to their loved ones through video calls.

“We know there are patients with COVID-19 being quarantined in their hospital beds, and obviously residents in their care homes are being isolated without any visitors. So we figured what can we do to help out is put some phones in these people’s hands so that they are able to connect with their loved ones at this difficult time,” said Bolt’s marketing director, Kevin Kindrachuk.

“Obviously some of these residents don’t have a phone and so it happened so fast that these families weren’t able to put things in place to be able to communicate with their loved ones and we figured let’s bring that connection back, especially at this time.”

Bolt has already received 50 donations on top of the 25 phones they are donating, but the demand is growing fast.

“We only have four stores in Saskatoon and we don’t have any other location but due to the demand we are sending phones to Regina, we are sending phones to Kindersley, so the demand is out there. we have even got calls asking if we can deliver to Alberta,” said Kindrachuk.

“So we are just asking the public to dig in that junk drawer or that closet and bring out those old devices that you have and put them to good use.”

Despite this initiative just beginning, Kindrachuk says he has already seen some of the benefits of what they are doing.

“It’s been quite emotional. It’s a little thing we are doing but it’s making a big difference. We are hearing from care homes, we are hearing from families of loved ones that are residents of care homes and they’re saying this is the greatest gift they could have ever received, being able to talk with loved ones at this time,” he said.

“So a lot of these care homes are reaching out and saying for the mental health of their residents and patients at hospitals, it’s really important to have that face time with that familiar face.”

Kindrachuk is asking anyone who wants to get involved to visit their website to learn more, or just dig up those old cell phones from the junk drawer or the closet and drop them off at one of their four locations.

Customers don’t even need to enter the store. Staff are able to run outside for curbside pickup.

“We just want to make it as easy as possible for people to donate,” Kindrachuk said.