May 2016 – Valley National Financial Advisors won top medium company project at the 2016 Volunteer Challenge for creating welcome baskets for new residents at Third Street Alliance for Women & Children.
Director of Marketing Judianne Harris accepts the award from Honorary Chair Kurt Landes
The team was presented with the award at the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s seventh annual fundraising event at Coca-Cola Park on May 24. Each of the 24 teams participating in the challenge dedicated volunteer hours and goods/services in support of their non-profit partners. Winners in each of the large, medium and small company categories were chosen by community votes.
Valley National’s team organized donations of living essentials and food, put together into totes and gift bags. Each welcome basket is presented to new residents at the Simon Mansion in Easton where Third Street Alliance houses homeless families in transition.
“Everyone wants to feel at home when they move into a new place,” said Judianne Harris, Director of Marketing for Valley National. “Most of the families moving into the shelter have not yet been set up to get any kind of cash assistance or food stamps, so they are walking in without basics like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes… things many of us take for granted.”
Each welcome basket contains deodorant, body lotion, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, hand soap, body soap, antibacterial wipes, combs, razors, washcloths and loofahs, a variety of snack foods. Valley National created an initial 25 complete baskets and delivered them along with additional items that were donated by employees and community supporters.
In order to ensure the continuation of this benefit to new families a Third Street Alliance, Valley National partnered with another non-profit to take over the management of the program moving forward. BW NICE (Business Women Involving Charity & Education) Lehigh Valley Chapter will continue community outreach for donations and manage the creation of more welcome baskets. “Our hope is that we can keep this going with the support of individuals and businesses in our community,” said Harris, who is also on the Executive Committee for BW NICE Lehigh Valley Chapter.
About BW NICE
BW NICE, Business Women Networking Involving Charity & Education, provides women at all stages of business and personal life with support, education and resources. Each BW NICE chapter raises funds and awareness supporting a local organization in the fight against domestic violence. BW NICE Lehigh Valley Chapter supports Third Street Alliance for Women and Children.
About Third Street Alliance for Women & Children
The mission of Third Street Alliance for Women and Children is to maintain human dignity and cultivate self-respect by providing sustainable services that counter the economic, social, and educational setbacks faced by families in the Lehigh Valley. Our historic buildings enhance the character and quality of our programs: shelter for homeless families, accredited child care, and daytime programs for seniors with special needs.
About Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley
The mission of the Volunteer Center is to engage the community to care for one another through volunteerism in the Greater Lehigh Valley. The organization matches individuals and organizations to volunteer opportunities in the Lehigh Valley. The Volunteer Challenge in its seventh year, is the organization’s largest fundraiser and is among a number of special events and programs focusing on three main areas of volunteerism: Educate, Coordinate and Motivate. For a complete list of projects and more information about the Volunteer Challenge, visit volunterlv.org.