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CompTIA Member Communities Begin Donations to IT-Related Charities
[June 23, 2011]

CompTIA Member Communities Begin Donations to IT-Related Charities


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., June 22 -- The Computing Technology Industry Association issued the following news release: Three charities that use technology to enhance career, education and life opportunities for disadvantaged and under-served populations are the first recipients of philanthropic gifts donated by the member communities of CompTIA (http://www.comptia.org/home.aspx), the non-profit association for the information technology (IT) industry.



Each of CompTIA's ten member communities - groupings of industry leaders with common interests in advancing specific technologies, markets and business segments of the IT industry - will donate $5,000 each in 2011 to IT-related charities.

"Our community donations help to put a human face on the IT industry and show how we're impacting people's lives for the better - through technological advances and philanthropic gifts," said Jim Hamilton, vice president, member communities, CompTIA. "Our community initiative has people thinking along lines they haven't before. We hope to inspire others in the IT industry to consider how they can give back worldwide." The first three award recipients are: * The National Cristina Foundation (http://www.cristina.org/), selected by the CompTIA U.S. IT Services and Support Community, supports IT training through donated technology. For more than 25 years, it has encouraged companies and individuals to donate computers and other technology coming out of their first place of use, which are then matched to charities, schools and public agencies in all 50 states, Canada and internationally.


* Carolina IT Professionals Group (http://carolinait.org/), the choice of the CompTIA MSP Partners Community, gives back to the Carolina community through action programs and projects which raise awareness and enhance the lives of children, seniors and the disadvantaged.

* Computers for Charities (http://www.computersforcharities.co.uk/), chosen by the CompTIA U.K. Channel Community, refurbishes used computers and gives them to other charities and disadvantaged children and adults worldwide.

"The IT Services and Support Community chose the National Christina Foundation because of its many years of 'Making a Difference' in the IT industry by putting technology in the hands of people who otherwise would not be able to benefit from its use," said Sandra Ashworth, global director of channel relations and warranty for Unisys Corporation, and chairwoman of the CompTIA U.S. IT Services and Support Community.

"People have acquired jobs, been given access to the outside world and been able to social network because this technology was made available to them," Ashworth continued "Some of the people that have benefited from this technology became IT services professionals. Giving to people, making a difference, and giving back to the industry is the reason our community is proud to support this organization." Ted Roller, vice president, channel development, Intronis, Inc., and chairman of the CompTIA MSP Partners Community, said: "Carolina IT Professionals raise awareness of community needs and provide a vehicle for IT professionals to give back to the community by leveraging their particular business skills. The program makes meaningful engagement between those who can serve and those who need help, including children, seniors, and the less fortunate, a regular occurrence. This is a great program".

"The UK Channel Community chose to donate to Computers for Charities as there was a strong feeling amongst our members that we wanted to support an organization that not only encouraged the re-use of IT equipment, raising awareness of how to upgrade technology in an ethical manner, but also supports program to aid the disadvantaged," said Richard Tubb, and independent consultant in the IT industry and chairman of CompTIA UK Channel Community.

"Computers for Charities provides IT support to schools in Africa, as well as many UK charities and voluntary organizations. It's an organization whose goals match our community's sentiments." Additional awards will be announced by CompTIA in the coming weeks. All of the gifts will be presented before the culmination of Breakaway (http://www.comptia.org/breakaway), the premier IT education conference, held Aug. 1-4, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

IT companies interested in becoming more involved in IT philanthropy can contact the CompTIA Educational Foundation on how they can make a difference.

CompTIA Communities (http://www.comptia.org/membership/communities.aspx) are the foundation of the association's initiatives, programs, education and research. These member-driven groups collaborate to advance specific technologies, vertical markets or business segments that are vital to the IT industry. CompTIA Community members include IT professionals, vendors, distributors and thought leaders who work together on the issues and programs that will shape the future of the IT industry.

TNS JB47110623 gv-3450658 61GemaViana (c) 2011 Targeted News Service

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