Autumn Newsletter: 2014 End Year Recap
In January, we unveiled a new video at our annual gala to highlight our programs, network & accomplishments. In February, we received the “Simon Alexander Award” from Celebrate the Children school, an award presented to an organization that “makes a meaningful and impactful change against societal challenges, and makes an immense difference in people’s lives.” In April, we created a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter – and in May, we came together with friends & business associates at our annual golf outing.
Even the summer failed to slow us down!
We facilitated meetings with Trenton Area Stakeholders for our Disadvantaged Youthinitiative, and worked toward expanding our partner network of organizations for the “Hear Me Now” program.
Now that Fall has arrived, we are busy planning more fun events to serve our charitable interests.
We hope you will join us, as we seek to collectively make a difference in the lives of Orphans, Disadvantaged Youth, children in Foster Care, and individuals with Autism.
Read on!
Steve Hydzik and John Cassimatis at the “GHN Golf Outing”
GHN Welcomes New Board Members!
Justin Holko assumes the Business Management role for GHN. He has a strong interest inDisadvantaged Youth, and took a mission trip to Mexico in 2011. Justin specializes in Investor Relations at Merck.
Michael Morack steps into the role of Chief Financial Officer for GHN. He has been active with the Boy Scouts, and has 30 years of Finance and Healthcare experience.
Linda Cortese comes to GHN as a Network Expander and an advocate for Autism. She served as a Big Sister and Board Member for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Linda is the commercial lead, Corporate Integrity Agreement, for GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals.
Marjorie Chertok joins as a Board of Trustees member. Marge advises corporate clients, and provides legal counsel to 501c3 organizations that serve children with special needs.
Greg Francis joins as a Network Expander, with a specialty in IT. He has a passion for helping in the Autism space.
Harris Kaplan joins as a Board of Trustees member. He has extensive marketing and commercialization experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He is the Managing Partner of Red Team Associates and the CEO of Healogix.
Project & Program Updates
Sanctuary Orphanage (Romania)
Annual Initiatives
The children had a blast at the annual “Eleos/GHN Summer Outing,” enjoying one day of swimming & one day of bowling, along with dinner, milkshakes, hot pretzels, snacks – and a walk through the city!
GHN also provided food and medicine for the 30+ children at the orphanage, and funded the “Winter Food Program,“ which allows staff to purchase 3,500 lbs. of fruits and vegetables in the summer to store for winter, when the cost of food is high.
New Initiatives in Romania
Working with Eleos, GHN will pay the salary of a driver, who will deliver food to several Romanian children’s programs, which feed 400-600 poor Gypsy children per week.
GHN will also contribute to the “College For Disadvantaged Youth” program, sponsored by Eleos, which provides funding for orphans and disadvantaged youth.
Photos: Children from Sanctuary Orphanage enjoy the annual “GHN/Eleos Summer Outing.”
Umbumbulu Hope Centre (South Africa)
“The Kitchen Project”
GHN provided funds for the Umbumbulu Hope Centre to expand its kitchen, to accommodate the cooking & feeding needs of 33 disabled orphans. The project is an expansion of the 2013 “Bathroom & Bathing Project,“ in which pit toilets were replaced and a new shower/bathing facility was built.
Upcoming Projects
The centre’s leaders are working with the local government to seek approval for much needed improvements. GHN will help to raise funds to contribute to these renovations through our new online fundraising campaign. Once the funds are available, the Centre, with the help of the South African Evangelistic Mission, will then work with local-area architects, engineers, contractors, therapists, and GHN & Eleos to improve and expand the facility.
Photos: A caregiver & child at the Hope Centre; contractors & volunteers work on the new kitchen extension.
“Hear Me Now”
The “Hear Me Now” program made great strides!
This year, we welcomed a new partner – The Children’s Institute (TCI). GHN enjoyed delivering 30 iPads, along with covers and storage stations to TCI’s students. (GHN funded 20 iPads, and TCI funded 10).
We also worked with our educational partners (Celebrate the Children & TCI) to implement a Teacher Forum & Executive Forum to share key program findings and best practices, and to discuss opportunities for the future use of technology in the classroom.
Some early indications of “Hear Me Now’s” success in the classroom show:
- Students vocabulary has increased by 50 words in 6 weeks.
- Children are motivated to use the iPad.
- Children’s eye tracking has improved, and their perception has been enhanced.
- Wellness has improved – iPads seem to reduce anxiety for children. This results in fewer behavioral issues in the classroom.
- Discovery has increased – Children are able to communicate, so teachers can understand what motivates and drives their passion. This is key, as discovery will help to identify & develop job skills and enhance career development.
Spotlight on a Board Member: Rick Rose
Rick Rose, a Board of Trustees member, recently participated in the “100 Hole Hike” at Saucon Valley Country Club to raise money for GHN. Rick teed off at 5:36AM, and finished at 7:40PM. He went above and beyond – playing 102 holes!
When asked why he participated, Rick said, “I was clearly motivated by the challenge and the desire to impact GHN. I knew, if successful, this would be a material impact.”
Rick was indeed successful – raising over $5,200 for GHN!
Not only did he play and walk approximately 34 miles, he carried his golf bag the entire time, too – with no caddy.
Way to go, Rick!
Thank You to Our Ongoing Sponsors
A BIG THANK YOU to our ongoing event sponsors: Joy Taylor & John Cassimatis of TayganPoint, Bob Bovee, Dan Loughlin & Roger Humphrey of Jones Lang LaSalle, Mike Alicastro & Hank Rios of Paragon Solutions, Mike Szot & Rick Rose of KPMG, and James Dunnican of SBM. Your investment in GHN over the past 3 years has been tremendous! Your help allows us to produce the high-quality events that our supporters look forward to & enjoy.
Thank You to Our Donors
Over the summer, GHN was fortunate to receive over 100 donations from companies & individuals. We sincerely THANK our donors & countless individual contributors for their generous donations. Their financial support allows us to continue our efforts to help transform lives.
Thank You to Our Volunteers
From marketing ideas to business expertise to event help to auction solicitations – our volunteers do it all! THANK YOU Rich Paulhamus, Sunny Verma, Menghan Fu, Stu Feldman, Donna Feldman, Karen Rosella, Roxana Rosella, Richard DiSalvatore, Lauren Miller, Rory Papp, Kathleen Greslik Bartus, Matthew Bartus, Amy Mixa, Carl Sagar, and Grace-Anne Alfiero for helping us to collectively make a difference!
REGISTER
It’s a milestone!
“5th Annual GHN Gala”
Saturday, January 24th
at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, NJ
Sponsored by:
For sponsorship opportunities, or to donate an auction item,
please contact Kerri Dunleavy at kerridunleavyghn@gmail.com
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