Systemax and AMD teamed up again this year at CES 2009 to co-sponsor the 12th Annual "Build Your Own PC Race For Charity." Hosted by TigerDirect and CompUSA, this year's event was held at the fabulous Wynn Resort in Las Vegas on January 8, 2009, and will was highlighted by a race between 30 of the top technology journalists from major media outlets like CNBC, PC World, Network World and TweakTown. The objective of the race is to determine who can assemble one of Systemax's state-of-the-art computers with an AMD Phenom™ processor in the fastest time.

"Build Your Own PC Race" is a fun charity event for the PC editorial community supporting elementary and secondary schools and promoting Systemax PCs based on AMD Phenom™ CPUs. Public Relations opportunities for sponsors' products are created by matching them up with members of the related trade press giving the opportunity for exposure and story pitches.

Over the course of its 12-year history, the event has raised more than $2 million in cash and computer equipment for needy schools and organizations. Systemax and AMD donate the computers used during the event to schools and non-profit organizations designated by the participants. Systemax is also donating $13,500 in cash to the charitable organizations chosen by the top three winners.

This year TweakTown's own Chris Ramseyer and Shane McGlaun, competing for I4U News, took part in this wonderful event.

After a short battle lasting just a few seconds over 5 minutes the winner was crowned. Chris brought TweakTown its first Tiger Direct PC Race for Charity trophy by finishing second place, just three seconds behind the leader.

"It doesn't matter who comes out ahead in this competition, the real winners are the charities selected by the contestants. Each charity selected received a minimum of one PC from Systemax. Many of these charities are based on donations so receiving a brand new state of the art computer goes a long way in helping their efforts. This donation would not be possible without the generosity of Systemax, AMD, Tiger Direct and the rest of the sponsors" Chris stated in his interview.

Chris' chosen charity for the 12th Annual Tiger Direct 2009 PC Race was We Care from Chris' home town Kokomo, Indiana. We Care will receive a check for 2,500 USD and the Systemax computer that was built at the event.

WE CARE is primarily a fund raising effort held the first full weekend of December each year. It is an all volunteer organization with 100% of all funds raised disbursed to selected local organizations that provide assistance to the disadvantaged and less fortunate as well as the mentally and physically challenged within our community. WE CARE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The funds raised by WE CARE are disbursed among five organizations and one fund in Kokomo; the Kokomo Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army, the Kokomo Tribune sponsored Goodfellows, Bona Vista Rehabilitative Services, the Mental Health America of Howard County's Holiday Gift Lift program, and the WE CARE Hope Fund for long-term gifting. These organizations provide assistance in the form of food, toys, and clothing for the less fortunate. WE CARE aims to respond with love and care to meet the needs of the impoverished so they all may know the joy and hope of Christmas and have proper food and clothing for the winter months.