Champion in Action grant awarded by Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media, Pittsburgh Cares

Computer Reach was recently named the 2020 Champion in Action for Western Pennsylvania in the environmental stewardship category by Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares.

The nonprofit focuses on eliminating the digital divide by making technology available to people in need while reducing e-waste.

As a recipient of the award, Computer Reach will receive $35,000, public relations support including media coverage from Trib Total Media, volunteer support from all three organizations at nonprofit events, promotional support in Citizens Bank branches and exposure on the Citizens Bank and Trib Total Media websites.

“I cannot think of a more critical moment than this to support an organization whose dual mission is to bridge the digital divide for economically challenged families in Pittsburgh, while doing it in a way that is environmentally friendly and sustainable,” Citizens Bank Pittsburgh Market President Mark Rendulic said.

The Champions in Action program is part of the Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities program that provides support to nonprofit organizations in Pittsburgh.

“Technology can give you the world at your fingertips, but many individuals and communities are still lacking access to the proper equipment, training and support,” Trib Total Media President and CEO Jennifer Bertetto said. “Trib Total Media applauds the efforts of Computer Reach for helping to bridge the digital divide, eliminate e-waste and share the benefits of technology not only here in Western Pennsylvania but globally as well.”

Computer Reach is one of 347 nonprofits that have received more than $9.7 million through the Champions in Action Program. The nonprofit is one of 47 recipients in Pittsburgh that have received more than $1.3 million to date.

“The Champions in Action award, focusing on the environmental stewardship work of Computer Reach, is really an honor,” Computer Reach Executive Director Dave Sevick said. “We have been hard at work keeping 2,000-plus computers per year out of landfills for the last 19 years. The Citizens Bank funding enables us to purchase missing computer parts for over 1,000 donated computers from government, corporate and educational institutions.”