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Director's Message
As each week goes by, it seems GVCO continues to get a greater number of the community engaged and utilizing the brand new facility. Our goal is to create a bustling community center filled with all sorts of programming for students, adults and older adults. Please read below about a number of the community programs in place, along with some of the things we would like to see happening in the upcoming months.
Read below if you would like to see a little bit more about:
- The pickleball craze - learning how to play, or just playing with some friends.
- Have you recently turned or will be turning 65 and want to know more about Medicare? Our Medicare 101 seminar is Feb. 22nd.
- You have a HS senior who could use an internship this coming 2024-25 school year.
- You want to help with the severe shortage of blood and would consider donating some.
- Or an easy way to help some local homeless during the cold winter.
Take some time a read below about some of the great things that have happened, or are happening at your new GVCO Community Center complex.
-Keith Walsh, GVCO Executive Director
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Do you or a parent need Medicare?
GVCO is hosting a FREE seminar
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Visit our New Senior Programing Page to find out More! | |
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GVHS Community Exploration Internship | |
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Each year, we invite Great Valley High School seniors who have completed enough credits for graduation to apply for the school district's "Community Exploration" program. Along with being compensated for their work, they are also awarded some graduation credit through the Community Exploration Experiences Program.
Students will leave during the school day either after 4th or 5th period. This is our first year with two seniors: Maddy Camp and Caroline Prevost. The internship builds skills in management, marketing, and collaboration - experiences that are beneficial for their resumes and future roles.
Applications will open during course selection at GVHS for the 24-25 school year.
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We are so thankful for the donations that are coming in, but more are still needed until our Caring Hands Members can pack them.
Please take the time to go into the Amazon Wishlist and purchase something for those who are struggling during these bitter cold times. Every little bit helps.
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Caring Hands project for the month of January is putting together Homeless Care packages that will be distributed by the local non-profit Better Days Ahead.
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In Ian's Boots is a Pottstown based organization dedicated to providing footwear to those in need. | |
In February, GVCO will be holding a 3 week shoe drive for In Ian's Boots. Keep any gently used shoes, winter boots, or cleats you or your child has grown out of to support the initiative.
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In February and March, we will be supporting the People's Pantry at Church Road.
The People's Pantry is a Malvern based non-profit supporting those with food insecurity in the local community.
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For several months, we have been asking the Great Valley older adult community what other types of programming they would like to see at the new GVCO Community Center.
Recently we received a fantastic idea...Walking Soccer. We hadn't heard of it, but once we Googled it we found out "it's a thing!" Seems like a great idea and we certainly have the field space. We just need to know who may be interested so we can get it started.
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"Former soccer players and newcomers alike are discovering that walking soccer is a safe, inclusive sport with benefits for both physical and mental health." | |
If you are 60 yrs old or older and would like to participate in a Walking Soccer program, tell us! If there's enough interest, we will certainly pursue this Walking Soccer thing. | |
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| Are you interested in playing Walking Soccer? | | | |
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We are glad to see Great Valley Community Center on Team Reach with the brand new 4 Pickleball courts. It's great to see the the returning players and beginners learning how to play. Please keep in contact with players you met and would like to play with at your level again…and sign up on the TEAM REACH app with a group code of GVCOPB.
Times are generally 9-11am, 11-1pm, 1-3pm with all levels of PB for just $7. which can be paid via Venmo, PayPal or cash at the door. Each player must complete a one-time GVCO pickleball waiver form.
So sign up and come see our courts! We will have more teaching sessions for beginners & adv. beginners soon. Please reach out to pickleball@gvco.org with any questions.
GVCO PB Question of the day….What do you call a Pickleball Player?
A pickleball player is simply called a "pickleball player". However, within the pickleball community, there is a playful term that has been embraced by enthusiasts, which is "picklers". This term reflects the camaraderie and sense of belonging that players share in the sport.
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March Madness Fundraiser -
details coming
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Each GVBL team, grades 1-8, has been asked to sponsor a team raffle basket for our March Madness End of Season party! Coaches should have received an email with specific dates and further information. One representative from each team should complete the sign up genius to confirm their basket themes. In addition to all of the provided themes, there is a space at the bottom of the survey to pick your own theme! Deadline is January 31st. | |
GVCO Blood Drive - March 6th | |
GVCO Blood Drive
Save the Date: Wednesday, March 6th 2024
S*Students can donate if they are 16 with parental consent, please bring an ID with your date of birth and check out the teen eligibility*
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The donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes about an hour. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average.
Signup via the Red Cross app using the sponsor code "gvco" or use the direct link to sign up RedCross.org
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The Great Valley Community Gives | |
On Monday 1/15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the community banded together to make cards for Cradles to Crayons Ready for Learning Cards initiative. | | |
The event was a huge success with 80+ community members, including Caring Hands volunteers, Girl Scout Troops, Families, and a Sorority who all dedicated their time and creativity to make the cards. The cards will go in the backpacks donated by Cradles 2 Crayons in the beginning of the school year. | |
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Challenger Hoopsters - January and February
The 4-week Challenger Hoopster program for children with special needs who are in 1st grade through high school has begun. The children rotate through stations such as dribbling through obstacles, shooting, and team passing with all activities modified as needed! Emphasis will be on fun!! Registration is open for this free program.
Challenger Gym - March and April
Challenger Gym is a recreational community gym program for kids who have extra challenges. It is a fun hour of play where friendships are forged, and games and activities are adapted to make everyone feel successful. For many years, Challenger Gym has allowed those who may not find success in traditional community sports programs to laugh, run, jump, throw, make friends and shine! Registration is open for this free program.
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Do you like to make new friends and learn new skills and have lots of fun while you’re doing it? Then you have come to the right place! An integral piece of the Challenger Gym program is our Volunteer Buddies. They accompany our participants on every step, hop, roll, run and slide all while playing, encouraging, and generally having fun.
Volunteer for Challenger Gym
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SPCA Kong Making
Once again, Caring Hands will be hosting kong making for the SPCA in the coming months.
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Green Meadows Flower Planting | | |
Recycling Event around earth day | | |
Analysis shows a greater likelihood of survival when a bystander used AED (67%) rather than wait for emergency medical services to shock the heart (43%). | |
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Did anyone happen to notice the extremely important additions in the center recently?
Tina and Tom Hall Sr. have graciously donated two AED's to our new GVCO Community Center.
You will find these at either end of the building. Steve Mazzone was nice enough to stop by and install them a week or so ago.
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Thank you Tina and Tom for making our GVCO Community Center complex a much safer place for our GV community. | | |
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Financing the New GVCO Community Center | |
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It's time for everyone in our Great Valley community to GIVE BACK. The community's support over the past six years has been tremendous [Donor List (12/31/23) ]. Let's finish what we started, paying off the debt and moving forward with the next phase of the project. To do this, the support must continue and be more broad based.
We are asking for help from the entire Great Valley private, public and business community.
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For further details on the project, how you can make a significant financial impact or information with regard to Naming Rights for the complex and areas throughout the project, please reach out to Keith Walsh at execdirector@gvco.org | |
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Rendering of the 1st Phase of the
GVCO Community Center.
See the vision of our new Great Valley Community Center when all phases are finished. Find out some of what we plan to offer at a fully completed complex.
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More Ways to Support GVCO | | |
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Do You Match?
Did you know your employer might have a Matching Gifts program?
It's a great way to contribute and help GVCO complete the entire new GVCO Community Center project.
Use code #47309 for GVCO!
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