But a recent effort by several IT companies to raise money for Lance Armstrong’s cancer-fighting charity got Matera moving – and losing. The grandmother of two began an ambitious walking and workout regimen that allowed her to lose four pounds in six weeks.
Dispatcher Verna Matera of Northwest Computer Support in Seattle changed her lifestyle over six weeks. Although it wasn’t a lot of weight by some counts, it was significant for her.
“My whole lifestyle changed during this competition,” she said.
Matera’s company, Seattle-based Northwest Computer Support, a CompTIA member, was among the more than 40 companies within the Pacific West Chapter of the Ingram Micro VentureTech Network that collectively raised money and awareness for LIVESTRONGTM.
Some participants made donations themselves, while others signed up friends and family to sponsor them as they logged exercise miles over six weeks from February to April, 2011.
LIVESTRONG is the brand of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, created in 1997 by the cancer survivor and champion cyclist to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action.
Dispatcher Verna Matera of Northwest Computer Support in Seattle changed her lifestyle over six weeks. Once everything had been tallied, on April 13 the Pacific West Chapter presented a check for $21,000 to LIVESTRONG to kick off Ingram Micro’s charity event at its 2011 VentureTech Network Spring Invitational in Chicago. Ingram Micro, a CompTIA member, has a long history of philanthropy, donating $1.2 million and 5,000 volunteer hours to non-profit charities in 2009 alone.
In recent years, Ingram Micro’s VentureTech Network has focused on giving back to the community through various local and national charities during its invitational events, said Huy Nguyen, director of channel programs for Ingram Micro.
“It’s been really great to see the strength of this community as everyone comes together to lend a hand to those in need,” Nguyen says. “The regional chapters have taken this one step further and headed up their own initiatives to benefit charities of their choice throughout the year.”
Lesleigh Watson, COO of Northwest Computer Support and co-president of the Pacific West Chapter, said this is only the first year of what is definitely going to be an annual event.
Dispatcher Verna Matera of Northwest Computer Support in Seattle changed her lifestyle over six weeks. “We really wanted to pay it forward,” said Watson. “We don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched by cancer. At the end of the day, every extra mile or extra dollar helps someone who wasn’t helped before. It was an amazing experience.”
Watson said that efforts are already being made to be more organized next year and build on what worked.
But not everyone will wait until next year’s fundraiser to get moving again.
“I don’t want to wait until next year,” said Matera. “I want this to happen right now.”
That’s why Matera and a co-worker have a standing date each week to visit their office gym.
CompTIA actively promotes philanthropy among its members and applauds the efforts of members who are making a difference. If your company or one you work with is giving back to the community, let us know by emailing Eric Larson, director of external relations for the CompTIA Educational Foundation, at elarson@comptia.org.
The CompTIA Educational Foundation helps populations traditionally under-represented in IT prepare for, secure and be successful in jobs within the IT industry.
