InfoWest gives back: Best of Southern Utah winner supports kids with free backpacks, summer STEM camp

Hearsee Mobility gives a presentation to students at InfoWest's Kids Innovate STEM Camp, St. George, Utah, June 14, 2024 | Photo courtesy of InfoWest, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — As Southern Utah’s hometown internet service provider, InfoWest knows there’s no substitute for the connection you get from a local company.

Banner advertising InfoWest’s summer backpack giveaway, Cedar City, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of InfoWest, St. George News

From the early days of dial-up to the future of fiber, InfoWest has evolved, adapted and remained on the cutting edge of internet technology. Investing in the communities they serve has also become a company tradition over the years, and they don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

“Giving back is how we show appreciation for our customers and the community as a whole,” said Josh Kaneversky, director of residential sales and marketing for InfoWest. “We’re happy to support our communities in any way we can.”

Backpack giveaways

This summer, InfoWest will distribute hundreds of free backpacks to elementary and middle school students in communities across Utah and Nevada. Each backpack is filled with essential items that students need to start a new school year, including pens, pencils, folders, notebooks, rulers and glue sticks. The backpacks come in a variety of styles, including cute dinosaur and llama designs as well as Marvel themes, giving the kids the opportunity to choose their favorite.

InfoWest will host backpack giveaways at their offices in Overton, Nevada, on July 12 and Richfield on Aug. 2. Backpacks will also be available at their St. George headquarters the week before school starts. The company believes in being good neighbors, so all kids and parents in the community are welcome to grab a backpack regardless of whether they’re InfoWest subscribers or not.

Kids need backpacks,” Kaneversky said. “This is going to be our seventh year doing this backpack giveaway, and every year it’s a success.” 

Kids Innovate STEM Camp

Backpacks ready for InfoWest’s summer giveaway, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of InfoWest, St. George News

InfoWest strives to inspire the next generation of tech leaders by sponsoring Kids Innovate, a free STEM camp for Washington County students ages 7-12, every summer. This year’s camp, held on June 14, was the sixth annual.

A total of 50 students participated in educational activities about the internet as well as hands-on learning experiences like making their own ice cream. Kids were also treated to special presentations from Hearsee Mobility, a St. George-based nonprofit organization committed to improving accessibility for the visually impaired, and local youth teams that competed in the VEX Robotics world championship.

Every participant received snacks, lunch, a T-shirt and a bag filled with goodies and prizes. The camp’s curriculum and activities are carefully chosen each year, allowing returning students to learn new things and continue to be engaged.

Best of Southern Utah recognition

Recognized by customers and industry peers as the gold standard of internet connectivity, InfoWest recently won Best of State in the telecommunications category, which covers TV, internet and phone service providers throughout Utah, for the second year in a row.

Voters in this year’s Best of Southern Utah contest also awarded InfoWest a gold medal for internet provider and silver in the telecom category. The company has received prior awards for customer service and community partner as well.

“Part of winning these awards is giving back,” Kaneversky said. “That’s what the best businesses in Southern Utah do.”

Benefits of a local internet provider

The future is bright for careers in tech, and InfoWest wants to inspire Southern Utah’s kids to dream big by supporting local robotics competitions as well as a code camp and a STEAM camp.

InfoWest technician at work in Southern Utah, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of InfoWest, St. George News

InfoWest has created hundreds of jobs in Southern Utah, and many of the company’s employees serve on local nonprofit boards and participate in planning meetings for great events around town. Their tech experts also frequently deliver guest lectures at Utah Tech University and Dixie Technical College.

Although internet technology has evolved by leaps and bounds over the last 30 years, one thing that hasn’t changed is InfoWest’s commitment to taking care of every subscriber and helping them stay connected in today’s digital world.

We’ve been in business for three decades now, and it just wouldn’t be possible without the support and trust of our communities,” Kaneversky said. “Giving back gives us an opportunity to support them the way they’ve supported us since 1994.” 

Learn more about InfoWest’s products, services and community outreach on their website.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

• S P O N S O R E D  C O N T E N T • 

Resources

  • InfoWest | Telephone: 435-674-0165 | Website.
  • Locations:
    • St. George: 435 E. Tabernacle St.
    • Cedar City: 360 W. 200 North.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

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