My Grandfather Stoney Stollenwerck always taught us to be grateful for the people, places and institutions that have added meaning and benefit to our lives. As a teenager the meaningful institutions were the schools that I had attended; Greenwich Country Day and Sacred Heart Greenwich. I gave to each of these after I graduated. As I traveled into my 20s this then included my college, Rollins. I too began giving once I graduated. He always encourage us to give of our time, talents and treasures what we could afford. We could express our gratitude by how we gave back.
Both my parents continued this legacy of giving. My father gave to his schools, our local hospital, The Boys & Girls Club and many others. He too was passionate about the causes and institutions he supported. He served on the Board of Trustees of a college in New York City that he found innovative and supportive of his values. My mother too shared her father’s spirit of giving supporting her school and other causes dear to her heart. Both showed joy by being of service to others through their philanthropy.
It’s not too surprising that I too have given my best effort to be generous of my time, talents and treasures with a host of institutions. My list has grown from the schools and church I attended as a young person to non profits that inspire me. I’ve found that there is great joy in helping others. For the schools I attend, I show the quality and worth of my diplomas by giving so that others can attend. For the organizations that inspire me, I find many blessings in being a small part of securing their mission. For the community I live in, being of service has allowed me to a deeper part of fabric of the city. It is with this spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude, I highlight the institutions that I support with my time, talent and treasures.
Rollins College
Where I would be today if it were not for the excellent education and life lessons that I received as a student at Rollins College. I had professors that told me the truth and challenged my belief system. I made life long friends and felt a such a big connection to the college and community that I decided to raise my family here. I not only give of my treasures but more importantly of my time and talent. If ever asked to help or serve, it is usually an instantaneous YES !
REED Charitable Foundation
The REED Charitable Foundation (RCF) is a non profit near and dear to my heart. This wonderful organization’s mission is to make an immediate meaningful impact by empowering the dyslexic community and ending global literacy crisis by ensuring Orton-Gillingham training is financially accessible to all. My own personal journey includes being phonetically dyslexic in a time when dyslexia solutions were few. I was blessed to attend the Landmark School in the mid 70s and my academic journey was transformed positively. Fast forward 30 years where I was facing learning struggles of one of my sons. I knew the steps needed to assist him. I was able to seek out the best intervention to guide him forward academically. While deep in his struggle, I wondered – what do families that don’t have the means or access do?? Jennifer Knopf and her non profit address just that. She is doing what she can to lower the access point of help and intervention by educating public school teachers on Orton-Gillingham.
PJI Peace and Justice Institute
What’s not to love about PJI Peace and Justice Institute’s signature line All People. All Voices. All Matter. This amazing non profit is “making a difference by intentionally engaging in principles and practices that explore, advocate and honor the dignity of self, others and the earth”. My dear friend Rachel Allen is the founder and executive director of this organization. As I have worked in my company, the boards that I serve on and in our community, it has hurt my heart that there can be such a divide even amongst people I have a huge amount of respect for. I see everywhere fingers pointed when one has a different belief system, political view or moral understanding. PJI is the cure for these societal ills. I love this organization because they are working diligently to bring all people under the tent of belonging. They are doing so by breaking down the barriers that keep us from connecting. Through their “Principles For How We Treat Each Other; Our Practice of Respect and Community Building” they are helping develop rising Peace and Justice practitioners who are becoming leaders of socially inclusive change.
Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
Our community benefits from the work happening at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. The mission of the WPC is to convene people and ideas for the benefit of our businesses and community. With programs like Relaunch, Leadership Winter Park, State of the City and Autumn Art Festival to name a few, the Chamber supports business, people and community. Businesses and Individuals can sponsor events, volunteer and attend meaningful events and programs. This organization has an outstanding team of workers and a board that reflects the diversity of our community and the businesses that it serves. This year the Chamber was named one of the Top 3 National Chambers of the Year.
Finally, my honorable mention of organizations that I think are amazing and worth mentioning:
The Aeras Foundation believe technology is not a luxury; it is a necessity. They give those without access to technology the same opportunity as those who do. Whey they give technology, it’s never about the device. It is about the ability to connect and empower people to advance.
CECO’s vision, mission, and the collective whole of what they do started from an acute awareness that a fundamental and novel solution was desperately needed to help advance and strengthen the overall quality of life for those with neurological motor disabilities. Instead of accepting what wasn’t working or didn’t exist, we took action. Their mission is is to provide innovative programs for lifelong learning and development that transform lives utilizing conductive education that integrates physical, cognitive, and social skills.