DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Dec. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Organizations committed to creating opportunities for women, honoring and aiding military veterans and expanding technology use in developing countries have received monetary donations from the Vendor Advisory Council of CompTIA, the non-profit association for the information technology (IT) industry.
Donations of $2,500 each were made to Grace After Fire, Fort Worth, Texas; NetHope, Fairfax, Va.; TechGirlz, Philadelphia; and the Wounded Warrior Project, Jacksonville, Fla., CompTIA announced today.
"Technology is perhaps the most efficient and effective tool to create opportunities and help individuals become more self-reliant," said Mike Haines, co-chair of the CompTIA Vendor Advisory Council and director, worldwide SMB channel incentive strategy and design, Microsoft. "We're pleased to support these four organizations in their efforts to help people build better lives for themselves and their families."
"As senior leaders in the IT industry, our council members have a strong commitment to making a difference and having a positive impact," added Frank Raimondi, council co-chair and manager of the worldwide channel alliance program for Intel. "The groups we've selected for donations have proven their worthiness time and time again through the good works they are doing to help those in need."
Grace After Fire helps women veterans help themselves by providing the means for them to gain knowledge, insight and self-renewal as they re-enter their communities, the workforce and as they redefine their roles for a successful future.
NetHope acts as a catalyst for collaboration by leading international humanitarian organizations so that the best information and communication technology and practices can be used to serve people in the developing world.
TechGirlz is dedicated to empowering girls to be future technology leaders by introducing adolescent girls to technology as a way to bridge the gender gap in the science, technology engineering and math fields.
The Wounded Warrior Project raises awareness and enlists the public's aid to meet needs of injured service members; to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.
This is the third consecutive year that CompTIA member communities and advisory councils have made financial donations to charitable organizations, non-profit groups and programs that are changing lives for the better through education, empowerment and opportunity.
Funding for the donations is provided by the Creating IT Futures Foundation, CompTIA's charitable arm. The foundation helps populations that are under-represented in the IT workforce and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure and be successful in IT careers.
The CompTIA Vendor Advisory Council is made up of senior executives from hardware manufacturers and software vendors who have in-depth knowledge of the IT channel. The group provides guidance developing education, training, credentials, research, policy positions and other programs for the IT channel.
To learn more, visit http://www.comptia.org/home.aspx, http://www.facebook.com/CompTIA and twitter.com/comptia.