
PITTSBURGH – WQED, in partnership with Giant Eagle, is proud to announce the third season of the Community Champions initiative – a collaboration that celebrates and supports local people and non-profit organizations who are doing good in our communities. This year, we are taking a new approach by asking our neighbors to nominate non-profit organizations that are making a difference and positively impacting our communities. From these nominations, one organization will be selected as the 2025 Community Champion and be featured in a video profile airing in June.
“We are excited to renew our partnership with WQED and shine a spotlight on Community Champions making a meaningful impact in our region. The new opportunity to invite community members to submit nominations helps ensure that all organizations doing important work can be considered,” said Dan Magrish, Senior Director of Community Giving, Partnerships and Sustainability at Giant Eagle.
Launched in 2023, the Community Champions initiative features local change-makers whose commitment, passion, and leadership are improving the lives of individuals and the well-being of our communities.
In past seasons, WQED and Giant Eagle selected a monthly champion that was then featured in an inspiring video profile. Community Champions has showcased 10 local organizations in diverse areas of focus: healthcare, food insecurity, sustainability, and accessibility and supportive services.
2024 Community Champion, Best Buddies, a local non-profit that aims to end the isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, exemplifies the core tenets of the initiative. “Whenever I tell people that I work for Best Buddies they automatically go, ‘Thank you so much for doing this,’” said Samantha Mildner, Western Pennsylvania Area Director for Best Buddies. “Everybody should be including people with disabilities. And I just happen to love what I do. I’m so lucky that I get to create friendships for a living.”
Starting today, to inspire our neighbors’ participation, WQED will showcase a different past Champion each week on our social channels. Nominations for the 2025 Community Champion will be accepted from January 21 to March 16.
To nominate an organization, visit: wqed.org/champions
A playlist of past Champions is available here: wqed.tv/gechampions