Digital Ball® Celebrates Decade of Momentum and Impact - 10th Anniversary Event Salutes Past; Embraces Future
Online, May 19, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Atlanta - May 19, 2010. Celebrating a decade of momentum and the spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism within the Atlanta technology community, TechBridge is pleased to announce that its tenth annual Digital Ball once again exceeded expectations. Eighty-seven corporate sponsors joined presenting sponsor, Accenture, to raise over $1.1 million in cash and in-kind donations to continue the TechBridge mission - to help nonprofits use technology to do more and serve more people. The event's other notable sponsors included Microsoft, AirTran Airways, AutoTrader.com, The Coca-Cola Company, Dell, First Data, Savvis, SAP and others.
Cindy Tierney, SVP and CIO, Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and Dave Barnes, SVP and CIO, UPS served as co-chairs of the May 8th event at Atlanta's Marriott Marquis. They were joined by a record 50 Digital Ball Hosts (CIO-level or equivalent) who greeted more than 800 technology, business and nonprofit leaders and guests.
"Decade - Celebrating Momentum" was the theme of the 2010 Digital Ball and served as a fitting backdrop to highlight the ingenuity and impact of local nonprofits who engage TechBridge to help them leverage technology to achieve their missions. It also served to salute the corporations and volunteers who donate the financial support, time, expertise, and resources to enable TechBridge to serve our community. To date more than five million individuals have been touched by TechBridge's technology support and solutions implemented by its more than 300 nonprofit clients.
The festive evening also honored imagination with the presentation of the ninth annual Technology Innovation Award, given by Accenture. "We asked, 'What's your technology dream?'" said Kevin Campbell, Group Chief Executive of Technology at Accenture. "Sixty-three nonprofits told us how winning TechBridge's Technology Innovation Award could transform the way they serve the community."
The Technology Innovation Award provides the winner with $55,000 in TechBridge services, Microsoft software and cash to implement their technology vision. Southwest Christian Care was named the 2010 award recipient and will use the proceeds to develop automated solutions to track and improve the effectiveness of its programs and services to terminally ill patients, children with disabilities and seniors. Two finalists, Families First and the Georgia Cancer Coalition, each received $11,000 in TechBridge services, Microsoft software and cash.
In addition to a moving account of the personal and tangible impact the Technology Innovation Award is making on those served by 2009 recipient Tommy Nobis Center, guests also heard from TechBridge and Digital Ball Founders, Steve Linowes and Tom Vertin about the creation of a personal giving program, the Founder's Circle.
Kathleen Kurre, TechBridge's CEO, reflected on the momentum of the last decade saying "Impact is our guiding light - to see it, to do it and to count it. We have seen that when nonprofits have access to technology, every minute saved touches a person's life." But, challenging and motivating sponsors and volunteers to keep the TechBridge momentum going long into the future, Kurre added, "Piece-by-piece, function-by-function - with a lot of expertise and passion, supplied by TechBridge corporate sponsors and volunteers, we will continue to implement much-needed technology so our nonprofit clients can do more for more people."
About the TechBridge Digital Ball
Celebrating the spirit of philanthropy in the technology community and highlighting the impact of technology on the nonprofit community, TechBridge's Digital Ball raises funds to support its mission and work throughout the year. Plans for the eleventh annual Digital Ball are underway. Sponsorship information may be found at www.techbridge.org.
About TechBridge
TechBridge is an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization with one mission - to help nonprofits use technology to increase capacity to serve our community. We focus on technology enabling nonprofits to focus on their mission. TechBridge has provided IT consulting, hosting and outsourcing services to hundreds of nonprofits, helping them harness the productivity gains long since enjoyed by the corporate sector. As an affiliate of the NPower Network, TechBridge has facilitated the donation of millions of dollars in Microsoft software and connects the needs of nonprofits with the skills and financial resources of the technology community. For more information about TechBridge and Digital Ball sponsorship opportunities, or to donate to TechBridge, please visit www.techbridge.org.
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