07/20/2011
Mighty Writers named Champion in Action for teaching Philadelphia children that writing with clarity leads to a lifetime of success
Organization receives $25,000 grant from Citizens Bank and other benefits
PHILADELPHIA (July 20, 2011) Citizens Bank, NBC 10, and Philadelphia Media Network, Inc. announced today that Mighty Writers is the latest nonprofit to be named a Champion in Action®.
Mighty Writers received the Champion in Action award for serving 600 students ages 7 to 17 annually with free writing programs, including a daily after-school program, interactive workshops, a Teen Writers Lounge and SAT preparatory courses. As a Champion in Action, Mighty Writers will receive a $25,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation, media coverage and extensive promotional and volunteer support over the next three months.
Champions 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. Since the program’s inception in 2003, 30 Champions have been selected, including today’s announced recipient in the youth programming category.
“Although Mighty Writers was founded in 2009, it’s already made a significant impact on the community, which is why Citizens Bank is proud to recognize it as our latest Champion in Action,” said Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, Citizens Bank President and CEO for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. “Literacy is the key to economic opportunity, and it is crucial that our next generation have the reading and writing skills necessary to compete in today’s job market.”
“NBC 10 is happy to publicize the important work being done by Mighty Writers – the ability to communicate is of the utmost importance and pays off in many ways for both the individual and the community as a whole,” said NBC 10 President and General Manager Dennis Bianchi. "In its short history, Mighty Writers has delivered. For example, in the Mighty SAT Prep course, 15 students raised their test scores by anywhere from 100 to 600 points, while more than 70 percent of the 100 Mighty Afterschool Program participants improved their writing and language arts grades.”
“Philadelphia Media Network’s digital and print products provide trusted, written communications for our region. We are honored to share in the advancement of this well deserved recognition for Mighty Writers as they continue their mission in preparing their participants for a lifetime of success in writing,” said Greg Osberg, CEO and Publisher, Philadelphia Media Network, Inc., the owner and publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. “Mighty Writers is a true community effort, with more than 300 community volunteers – a group that includes journalists, educators and other professionals – teaching our children how to organize their thoughts and express themselves with clarity.”
“Mighty Writers does a terrific job of engaging students with innovative programs,” said Martin Molloy, CEO of Greater Philadelphia Cares. “The recent opening of its MIGHTYVISION workshop on South Street is a perfect example – turning local youths into graphic novel and comic book writers and artists. That’s innovation at its finest.”
Mighty Writers Executive Director Tim Whitaker and his staff were surprised today during a taping of the 10! Show on NBC 10. As a Champion in Action, the organization will receive:
- A $25,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from the Citizens Bank Foundation.
- Media coverage from NBC 10, including public service announcements and profiles.
- Advertising space in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and on Philly.com to promote both the program and the organization.
- Volunteer support from Citizens Bank, NBC 10 and Greater Philadelphia Cares.
- Extensive public relations support.
- Promotional support, highlighting the Champion in Action in all Citizens Bank branches.
- Exposure on the websites of Citizens Bank, NBC 10 and Philly.com.
- Consulting and implementation services, provided by Greater Philadelphia Cares, to leverage volunteer support that enhances impact.
About Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has 386 branches and 977 ATMs throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates 13 retail branches and 106 ATMs in southern New Jersey and a commercial loan office 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, Inc., through its subsidiaries, has more than 1,500 branches, approximately 3,800 ATMs and more than 21,100 employees. 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
NBC 10, one of 10 Owned & Operated NBC television stations, is located in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia. Millions of viewers throughout Greater Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, South Jersey and Delaware turn to NBC 10 every day for the most up-to-date news, weather, sports, consumer, health and traffic reports. Viewers also tune in daily to watch “The 10! Show,” an upbeat, one-hour lifestyle and entertainment show featuring local, national and internationally known celebrities. The program airs Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. Recognized as the No. 1 Web site (www.nbcphiladelphia.com) in the top 50 markets, NBCphiladelphia.com received the prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Award.
About Philadelphia Media Network
Philadelphia Media Network, Inc. (PMN) is the owner of Philadelphia Media Network (Newspapers) LLC, the publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News 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 – more than the combination of the three evening television news shows or the combination of those radio stations ranked in the top ten during drive-time programming.
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 the ability for volunteers to serve the community.
