The Great Valley Community Organization helps build a strong, vibrant and connected community by providing facilities, activities and programs enriching the lives of all local residents. |
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January 2022 GVCO Newsletter |
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Directors Message
As GVCO turns the page on 2021, we had some tremendous milestones as an organization.
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An outpouring of support for numerous key local community partners by our Great Valley community through multiple GVCO Caring Hands initiatives.
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Securing financial support from the state in the form of a $750,000 RACP grant.
- We finally broke ground on our new GVCO Community Center on Bacton Hill Rd.
But there's no time to sit back as GVCO has a “full plate” going into 2022. We will be looking to provide the community with the same quality programming that we have offered for over 20 years. We'll build off our successes, expand our programming and get the new facility out of the ground, and up and running.
GVCO will continue to follow the model we’ve maintained for years: time, energy and resources coming from right here in the area. Community volunteerism is at an all-time high for our organization. We have privately raised nearly $2.5 million for the new facility from families right here in the district. GVCO’s philanthropy, through community support, reached tens of thousands of dollars. All of this success was recognized by legislators in the State of Pennsylvania and they rewarded GVCO with significant financial support.
GVCO’s work is not done as our goal of bringing a fully completed, world class community center to our region remains the target. This will require continued private financial support from community members, local governmental financial support and much greater corporate financial support. Every one of these sectors will be the benefactors for many, many years to come.
GVCO’s goals have always been lofty, and “slow and steady wins the race.” After many years the “finish line” for our new GVCO Community Center is coming into focus. 2022 could be Great Valley Community Organization’s greatest year and we need the entire community to help get us there.
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Keith Walsh
GVCO Executive Director
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If you want to experience joy in your life, you have to be able to step outside yourself and become part of a cause that is much larger than you; one that brings a greater good to a greater community.
Srikumar Rao
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GVCO Community Programming |
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Our GVCO Caring Hands Foundation volunteers wrapped many holiday gifts that brought smiles to many seniors via Surrey Services and the Phoenixville Area Senior Center.
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General Wayne
Coat Drive
125 coats were collected for local adults and kids!
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In the final week of the year, Great Valley Caring Hands delivered a truckload of paper goods and cleaning supplies to assist Home of the Sparrow in their mission of helping women and children in Chester County who are facing homelessness. Outstanding job Great Valley on finishing the year giving back!
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Winter Basketball
Over 700 boys and girls in grades 1-12 are participating in the GVBL league this Winter.
Junior Hoopsters has returned for our 4-6 year olds. It is a fun introduction to basketball.
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Spring Crew - Grades 8-12
Registration is open:
Fees
8th Grade Rowers - $550
9-12th Grade Rowers - $975
Returning and new team members: Please register by February 7, 2021.
New rowers who want to give rowing a try first can attend the Open House on Saturday, 2/26 10AM-1PM (10am-1pm) and register by Monday, 2/28.
Important dates:
Feb. 3 at 7:30PM - Zoom meeting for parent, rowers and coxswains
Feb. 8 at 7:30PM at GVHS - Mandatory safety meeting for all rowers and coxswains
Feb. 14 - First practice
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Winter Cheer
We are now cheering for the GVBL Tournament Team games during their Sunday home games at the Middle School. There are four teams we are cheering for and our squad is split up by grade to support them.
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GVCO Community Partnership |
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Philadelphia is the nation's poorest big city with nearly 300,000 children living in poverty across the region. Cradles 2 Crayons Philadelphia has a reach that goes well beyond the borders of the city itself. Chester Co., including the Malvern area, is included in the region in which C2C is having an impact.
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Vince and Debbie McAneney |
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Volunteers are the cornerstone of the Great Valley Community Organization and Vince McAneney is no exception.
Vince and his wife, Debbie first got involved when their children participated in GVBL and the Challenger Gym Program. Scott continued to play GVBL straight through to the High School League, Erica & Shannon volunteered to become Buddies for the Challenger Gym Program and Ryan donated his shredding services at R-Mobile Shredding to numerous GVCO fundraisers.
When GVCO started GVFL, Vince jumped right in to coach his son Scott and his buddies. A year later he became President of the league and held that position for 7+ years, stepping down at the end of the 2018 season. His fondest memory was when he coached with his son Scott – such a great experience for father and son. Vince hopes that others in the community would take advantage of all the great things GVCO is doing and use those opportunities as a way to further connect with their own kids and the entire Great Valley Community. Vince believes that time invested in our youth is never wasted and encourages anyone thinking of making a bigger commitment to GVCO, whether through volunteering or donating, to “Just Do It”. |
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Meet Vyoma Samant– a Junior at Great Valley High School. Vyoma wanted to be a part of the High School Internship program because she thought it would be a good fit for her. She is highly motivated, works well with others, and believes in giving back to her local community.
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Over the last few years, Vyoma has shared her time and talent to help design curriculum for a Montessori preschool, provided one-on-one tutoring, and taught Kathak - a North Indian Classical dance form. She credits her strong interpersonal and organizational skills to her success.
When asked what is the best thing about the Great Valley Community, Vyoma said that she likes how the Great Valley Community provides many opportunities for its youth to explore a wide range of activities in and out of school. She prides herself on being part of a caring and proactive community.
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GVCO Sponsorship Spotlight |
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17 E. King Street, Malvern
610-858-3663
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GVCO is proud to be a community partner with Awakening Wellness located in the heart of Malvern Borough. Their mission and vision closely align with what our community organization embodies. Owner Lori Rossi opened her business “To create an open, loving, inclusive community where people feel inspired, supported and empowered to bring about positive change in their life through awareness and healing.”
Awakening Wellness is a Healing Arts Studio and Positive Living Boutique. A setting where there is no judgment nor competition, just encouragement, acceptance, and compassion. Their Yoga and Qigong classes are open to people of all ages, sizes, and shapes, regardless of experience or fitness level.
“Find peace, balance, and joy in our nurturing environment, supportive group classes, and private one-to-one wellness sessions.”
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New GVCO Community Center |
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We are on our way...
to a world-class community resource that delivers a broad range of sports, educational, arts, recreational and senior programs that address key community needs.
The time is NOW.... Together we can make it happen!
We need your help to finish what we've started! We will not get the necessary financing to complete the project without raising additional funds.
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Together we can we do this!
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More Ways to Support GVCO |
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The results are in! The Great Valley Community Organization received over 58,000 votes from people who believe in our mission and our impact in the community. We received a good-sized donation thanks to you!
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Target’s Community Giving Program provides Target Circle members the opportunity to earn and cast votes to help area nonprofits. We are grateful for our partnership with Target and for our Great Valley Community members.
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Do You Match?
It's a great way to contribute and help complete the entire new GVCO Community Center project.
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