01/11/2012
Need in Deed named Champion in Action for preparing youth for civil responsibility and service
Organization receives $35,000 grant from Citizens Bank Foundation and other benefits
PHILADELPHIA (January 11, 2012) – Citizens Bank, NBC 10, Philadelphia Media Network, Inc. and Greater Philadelphia Cares announced today that Need in Deed is the latest nonprofit to be named a Champion in Action®.
Need in Deed received the Champion in Action award for helping young people develop the cognitive, personal and civic skills that will enable them to become successful students and engaged citizens. Guided by Need in Deed, students in grades 3 through 8 complete yearlong service-learning projects that teach them how to use reading, math, social studies and science to understand and respond to challenging community issues. As a Champion in Action, Need in Deed will receive a $35,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation, media coverage, and extensive promotional and volunteer support over the next six months.
Champion in Action is an innovative program that provides various forms of support for small nonprofit organizations in recognition of their contributions to communities throughout the five-county Philadelphia area. This year celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Champion in Action program has provided more than $6 million in support to more than 245 nonprofit organizations throughout Citizens Financial Group’s footprint.
“Now in its 25th year, Need in Deed has helped thousands of children become productive and involved citizens,” said Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, Citizens Bank president and CEO for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. “Citizens Bank is pleased to recognize this important organization that is empowering our youth and teaching them messages that will result in the improvement of our community.”
“NBC 10 is happy to publicize the important role Need in Deed fills in Philadelphia. The program may be taught in a classroom, but the messages imparted apply to the real world,” said NBC 10 President and General Manager Dennis Bianchi. “Need In Deed teaches students how to deal with real-world issues such as animal abuse, cyber bullying, homelessness, water pollution and youth violence.”
“Philadelphia Media Network recognizes the important job Need in Deed handles and commends its goal of helping our youth become active civic participants,” said Greg Osberg, CEO and publisher, Philadelphia Media Network, Inc., the owner and publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, Philadelphia SportsWeek and Philly.com. “The cognitive, personal and civic skills taught by Need in Deed will help participants throughout their lives.”
“A society can only be as good as its citizens and will only thrive when there is widespread community involvement,” said Martin Molloy, CEO of Greater Philadelphia Cares. “Need in Deed prepares our next generation of leaders through service-learning projects that better the participants as well as the community at large.”
Need in Deed Executive Director Barbara Dundon was surprised today during a taping of the 10! Show on NBC 10. As a Champion in Action, the organization will receive:
- $35,000 in unrestricted funds from the Citizens Bank Foundation
- President-to-president mentoring opportunities
- Promotional support in all Citizens Bank branches and ATM screens
- News coverage and public service announcements from NBC10
- Volunteer support from Citizens Bank, Greater Philadelphia Cares, NBC10, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and philly.com
- Public relations support
To become a Champion in Action, nonprofit organizations must meet selection criteria and apply for the award. The next application deadline is March 2, 2012, and will recognize a nonprofit organization focusing on neighborhood development. For more information about the Champions in Action program and to apply, visit www.citizensbank.com/community.
About Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has 385 branches and 988 ATMs throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates 13 retail branches and 107 ATMs in southern New Jersey, and a commercial loan office and 20 ATMs in Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $132 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I.
Citizens Financial Group, through its subsidiaries, has more than 1,500 branches and approximately 3,900 ATMs, and more than 20,900 colleagues. CFG’s two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 12-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. CFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in more than 30 states. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
About NBC 10 Philadelphia
NBC 10 (WCAU-TV Philadelphia) has been delivering news and entertainment to the Delaware Valley for over 60 years. Part of the NBC Owned Television Stations, NBC 10 serves more than 5 million viewers throughout Greater Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. Viewers turn to NBC 10 for the most up-to-date news, weather, sports, consumer, health and traffic reports. NBC Philadelphia Nonstop, the station’s digital channel, offers more than 20 original entertainment and news programs and can be seen on Comcast 248, Verizon 460 and over the air at 10.2. Other NBC 10 properties include nbcphiladelphia.com and StudioTEN Creative Group.
About Philadelphia Media Network
Philadelphia Media Network, Inc. (PMN) is the owner of Philadelphia Media Network (Newspapers) LLC, the publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia SportsWeek and Philadelphia Media Network (Digital) LLC, the owner of Philly.com. With its multiple brand platforms and integrated print and digital products, PMN is the region’s largest media network and the industry’s technological leader and innovator. The Philadelphia Media Network reaches an average weekly audience of 2.2 million adults.
About Greater Philadelphia Cares
An award-winning nonprofit, Greater Philadelphia Cares is committed to empowering individuals to realize their ability to contribute to the community in meaningful ways. By providing a variety of flexible, tangible volunteer opportunities, Greater Philadelphia Cares is continuously enhancing volunteers’ ability to serve the community.
