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Monthly Member Update
Transforming Lives · Strengthening Community
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President
Sue Aber
Vice President Community
Philanthropic Programs
Nancy Scott-Finan
Vice President Marketing
Communications
Cheryl DeVincentis
Vice President Membership
Marsha Olender
Vice President Resource Development
Nancy Fiedler
Vice President
School
Philanthropic Programs
Sheila Osann
Vice President
Technology
Vacant
Recording Secretary
Barbara Lloyd
Treasurer
Luana Queen
Parliamentarian*
Suzie Beckett
*Non-voting Board Member
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The Monthly Member Update
is published by the Board of Directors and the Marketing Communications Committee.
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From the President's Desk |
Celebrating our successes
My personal biggest fear in the past two years has been the Covid virus – for me, for my family, for our members, for our community. Alas! At the end of my term as president, despite being boosted with a vaccine, I ended up spending several days in bed, unable to join in with the Annual Meeting & Luncheon festivities.
Please know how much I thank you for your support and hard work in making this past year one of the most successful in our chapter’s history. Our mission of transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs was accomplished – both monetarily and in the priceless benefits of gratitude and fellowship with our community.
Clothing and supplies to students in our schools; cash awards for teachers in the classrooms; books to all third graders for summer reading; after-school snacks for children who can’t afford juice boxes or granola bars; scholarships for deserving students to achieve their dreams; life’s little pleasures such as ice cream, notecards, and bingo to lonely seniors; specially created autobiographies and spring baskets to grandparents raising grandchildren; small refrigerators for each guest room in SECU Family House to store medications and necessities; teddy bears to cuddle in times of stress; a time to enjoy ukulele singalongs and reminisce about the “good old days”—the list goes on and on.
How was this possible? Through the extraordinary monetary success provided by the Thrift Shop, donations and grants – we generated record highs of income. It was collaborative efforts from all of you … even in a Covid year, when we weren’t sure it could all be done, you got ‘er done.
Our successes are to be celebrated! Our return to the community this year will be a record-breaking 73-74%. Our vision that when essential needs are met, families flourish has been realized.
I joined Assistance League in the early 2000s for the philanthropic programs but stayed for the friendships. Thank you all for your friendship, your support and all your hard work – you’re absolutely the best!
Fondly,
Sue
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Annual Meeting: time of celebration and socialization
by Marsha Olender
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Our Annual Meeting and Luncheon was a grand success! Thank you to all who made it happen.
Julie Terrell and Renee Carlo and their committee members created an elegant event at Porters Neck Country Club on May 5.
Rita Jividen and her helpers smoothly handled registration. More than 65 members enjoyed their meals while socializing with new and old friends.
Cheryl DeVincentis created a heartwarming slideshow highlighting so many of our accomplishments this year.
Past President and chair of the Nominating Committee, Kathy Basset installed the new board.
Our President Sue Aber was unable to attend and was missed by all. Incoming President Marsha Olender delivered Sue's speech and coordinated the day's events.
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Annual luncheon centerpieces created by Julie Terrell and Chris Gorman featured members' comments on Assistance League's importance and set the scene for the day.
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Lin Dinkelacker, Suzann Ankrom, Renee Carlo and Berni Walsh folded and decorated the napkins for the luncheon. |
Luncheon committee members Renee Carlo, Mary Ann Bridges and Rita Jividen welcome Joanne Cavan. |
Incoming President Marsha Olender reads comments from outgoing President Sue Aber. |
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Mary Jo Harris, Pam Fuller, Geraldine Curtis, and Donna Pamfilis enjoy the Year in Review slide show presented by Cheryl DeVincentis. |
Jane Nelson distributes official name badges to Flight 3 members Alex De Sherebin and Jan Shomo, members of Flight 3. |
Jackie Adams receives her 5-year pin from Pam Fuller. A number of members received 5-year and 10-year pins. |
Past President Kathy Bassett inducts 2022-23 Treasurer Cathie Owen. |
Sheila Osann wears one of her three hats to thank members of the School Philanthropic Committee. |
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Work on Wilmington beautifies Forest Hills Elementary
by Julie Burton
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Mary Grace Kearney and Missy Cruz take charge of beautifying the Forest Hills Elementary School sign.
Saturday, April 23, was a bright and sunny morning for twelve ALGW members to get their hands (or their gardening gloves) dirty and have fun together at Work On Wilmington.
The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce organizes this annual morning of service to perform projects improving our community. ALGW has fielded a project team for several years.
This year our team helped beautify the outdoor entry areas at Forest Hills Global Elementary School, one of our Operation School Bell®
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The team received colorful Work on Wilmington tee shirts and water cups as they enjoyed lunch. Missy Cruz, Mary Grace Kearney, Sherry Ferdinand, Julie Burton, Jackie Adams, Barb Lloyd and Donna Pamfilis enjoy the respite. |
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schools. With school staff and funds stretched and focused on the all-important academics, a volunteer project like this is a big help in creating a space that students, staff and teachers can appreciate and celebrate. |
Sherry Ferdinand stomps debris into a bag while Tillie Lehmer keeps on trimming.
Co-chairs Julie Burton and Judi Scott thank their fellow volunteers Jackie Adams, Suzanne Ankrom, Missy Cruz, Sherry Ferdinand, Mary Grace Kearney, Tillie Lehmer, Leslie Littlefield, Barb Lloyd, Donna Pamfilis, and Cheryll Schramm.
True to ALGW tradition, after their work was finished, the group enjoyed some lunch!
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The team is pleased with the result at the newly cleaned, mulched and planted teacher entry: |
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Committee Spotlight: AL Action! program produces early results
by Cheryl DeVincentis
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Cape Fear ES Principal Sonya Oates and art teacher Amber Huckaby accept their award from committee chairs Anna Marie Allegretto and Cathy Grampp.
The AL ACTION! project “You Gotta Have HeART!” is now taking root in the seven elementary schools selected for the $1000 awards: Belville and Lincoln in Brunswick County; Alderman, Bradley Creek, and Wrightsboro in New Hanover County; and Cape Fear and CF Pope in Pender County.
The art teachers are in the process of purchasing and utilizing materials and equipment to supplement and improve their programs.
Committee Co-Chairs Cathy Grampp and Anna Marie Allegretto joined VP Marketing Communications Cheryl DeVincentis to visit and/or communicate with one art teacher from each county.
Amber Huckaby of Cape Fear ES was “so excited to use the money for our classroom and kids!” Huckaby has recently been named Teacher of the Year by her school.
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Clay projects are loved by students in Grades 2 and K.
One of her favorite things to do with her 550 students is work with clay. However, she noted that clay is expensive compared to other art materials. She applied for a Links to Learning grant last year to purchase clay. Huckaby plans to use the AL ACTION! award to purchase pottery wheels to take her students to the next level. She also plans to continue to apply for the Links to Learning grants.
Huckaby is grateful. “Thank you so much for all your support of our school and the art program!”
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At Alderman ES, Megan Prey responded to the news of the award with, “Wow! This is so exciting and unexpected! I feel like I just won the lottery!” |
Megan Prey and Cathy Grampp quickly became friends.
Prey teaches art to 277 students. She explained that New Hanover County provides elementary
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teachers with $3.00 per child for art supplies for the year. She used the AL ACTION! award to purchase start-up supplies for next year: colored pencils, oil pastels, paint brushes, watercolor pencils, sharpie markers, a class set of solid paint sticks and lots of new posters.
She also bought some needles and pincushions for a project in which each fourth grader designed and created a Dojo monster with an emblem on its belly to represent the student. The monsters are used in a behavioral management program utilized by the school.
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Megan Prey's students enjoyed creating Dojo monsters, a part of their daily lives in school.
In Brunswick County, Kathy Peck works with 750 students in grades K-5. In addition to teaching, Peck also has been working on the sets for the school’s spring concerts.
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Kathy Peck illustrates the variety of student art at Belville.
Peck has big plans for Belville’s award. She intends to improve the ceramic/sculpture materials her students will use. “Besides clay, I am working to incorporate more ways to build with students, through papier mache, wire armatures, modeling clay and using recycled materials for assemblage.” She also wants to use part of the grant to fund supplies to begin a student art club.
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A Belville student works on a clay project featuring curves.
When Peck learned of the award, she responded, “This is incredible, and thank you for your support of the arts!”
This year’s AL ACTION! project will impact a total of 3,647 students.
Cathy Grampp noted the importance of this project. "Boosting the creative minds of young children and giving them additional resources so that they can explore their creativity is surely a great blessing, especially at this crucial stage of their lives. Seeing how “AL ACTION!“ enhanced the art programs in many schools makes us proud to be a part of such a wonderful organization."
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Member Spotlight: Marilyn Nygren finds fulfillment
by Marilyn Nygren and Julie Burton
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Marilyn Nygren's focus on Operation School Bell has prepared her for her new role as VP School Philanthropic Programs. She assumes the position June 1.
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While vacationing at Topsail Island in 2006, Marilyn Nygren's family decided to venture out one night to downtown Wilmington for a Ghost Walk tour. Something about Wilmington connected with them and nine years later Marilyn and her husband Kip returned to retire in the area.
Marilyn says they may have been spirited back by a ghost or enthralled by the closeness of the beach, the warm weather, the colleges and university, and the cultural events. But they said goodbye to Wilkes Barre, PA, in 2015 and never looked back, settling for good in New Hanover County.
The Nygrens have three children, all grown now with children of their own, making them the proud grandparents of four granddaughters and four grandsons.
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Before moving to Wilmington, Marilyn taught pre-school, kindergarten and first grade in New York State and Pennsylvania. Retirement gave Marilyn the opportunity to follow dreams and experience activities that kept her engaged, energized, and involved.
She loves traveling to places she had only dreamt of for most of her life. When not traveling or enjoying family time, you can find her on a pickleball court, playing Mahjong and Mexican train, or discussing books with her book club.
All these activities kept Marilyn busy, but she says, “I did not feel fulfilled until I became a member of Assistance League in 2016.” She learned of Assistance League at a Newcomer’s Club luncheon where ALGW members were the guest speakers. Marilyn was immediately hooked and soon after became a member.
After volunteering at the Thrift Shop for several months, Marilyn was asked to become involved with Operation School Bell by taking the job of New Hanover South chairperson. She had no idea what that entailed, but with children and students involved, it seemed the perfect fit.
In addition to OSB, Marilyn has volunteered with Operation Teddy Bear, the SECU Family House, Operation Seniors, and Links to Learning. At the Thrift Shop she can be found in the front helping customers, in the back accepting donations and throughout the shop when cleaning it.
Next year Marilyn will join the ALGW Board as Vice President of School Philanthropic Programs. Marilyn says she looks forward to working with a team of very dedicated women who hope to “transform lives and strengthen our community.”
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Hoggard High School donates |
Assistance League of Greater Wilmington was surprised this past month to receive a donation in the amount of $1,000 from Hoggard High School's Class of 1973.
ALGW member Susan Millholland was on the reunion committee for the class. With funds left over from the reunion, they opted to donate to ALGW and several other local organizations.
Many thanks go to Hoggard High School's Class of 1973.
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Bylaws to be reviewed, revoted
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The status of Assistance League of Greater Wilmington's revised Bylaws and Standing Rules, electronically sent all to all voting members on April 21, 2022, is still pending. This will be the first order of business for the new board in CY2022-2023.
According to our bylaws, to revise the bylaws and standing rules, a quorum of at least 40% of the voting members must vote. Not enough voting members responded to the electronic ballot.
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Marsha Olender spends time with Mary Ann Bridges and Rita Jividen one last time as VP Membership. She takes on the President's responsibilities on June 1.
Membership
Marsha Olender
The Membership Standing Committee year-end meeting was canceled. A report was sent to all committee members.
We welcome Susan Milholland, our incoming VP Membership. On June 1, I will pass the leadership baton to her. This year has been so rewarding to me and being a part of the Membership Team has been such an honor.
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Member Renewal forms due June 1
The Membership Renewal form and Volunteer Skills Check List are linked to the buttons below.
Due before June 1, they can be mailed to or dropped off at the Thrift Shop.
Thanks to all who have submitted them.
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Service Awards Presented
Twelve members received Service Awards during the Annual Meeting and Luncheon.
Earning 10-year pins:
- Joanne Cavan
- Anne Dols
- Helen Hepbron.
Earning 5-year pins:
- Jackie Adams
- Gwynn Chambers
- Shar Hammond
- Ethel Koropatnick
- Joan Marshall
- Marilyn Nygren
- Maureen Spataro
- Berni Walsh
Volunteer hour deadline looming
June 15 is the deadline to enter 2021-2022 volunteer hours. Please enter your hours as soon as possible. A complete report is necessary for many reasons including grant applications.
Members can report the hours directly through the link on our website's member pages. For those needing more help, contact Ethel Koropatnik by clicking her name here, Another option is to ask a friend for help.
Thank you in advance for completing this important task.
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Members of the Grandparents Support Network gathered to create oversized Easter baskets, which included a ham, vegetables, fruit and cookies.
Community Philanthropy
Nancy Scott-Finan
Easter Baskets for Grandparents
On Thursday, April 14, ALGW volunteers gathered at Empie Park before the annual YWCA-sponsored Easter Egg Hunt to assemble Easter Dinner Baskets for the 45 grandparents who participate in the Grandparents Support Network.
The “baskets,” compliments of ALGW, contained a large ham and all the trimmings along with an individual note of thanks for all they do for their grandchildren and their community. AARP contributed a turkey for each family as well.
The grandparents were so surprised when they received their dinner baskets and turkeys. They were so appreciative. Committee chair Cheryll Schramm said, "It was truly a heartwarming experience for all involved!"
Help Needed!!
Community Philanthropy needs a Chair or Chair and Vice-Chair for both Operation Seniors and Operation Teddy Bear.
Operation Seniors is our program that provides companionship and comfort to seniors at AHEPA, Spring Arbor, and the Grandparents Support Network. We already have individuals who have signed up to chair the three sub-groups but need an overall chair.
Operation Teddy Bear is our program that provides teddy bears for persons experiencing trauma or distress. The duties include ordering teddy bears and ensuring that they are delivered to the organizations with which we have agreements to supply bears, for example, the hospitals, the Carousel Center and other such organizations. Currently, we are out of teddy bears and are looking for a supplier.
Our prior chairs are willing to help you become acquainted with your role for each program.
For both programs, some of the work can be done from your computer while you are having a glass of wine. If you are interested, please contact Nancy Scott-Finan at 703-795-5850.
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Given the high turnover of merchandise in the Thrift Shop, every member is urged to bring in a box of donations. Better yet, check with your friends and bring in a carload.
Resource Development
Nancy Fiedler
Thrift Shop sales remain strong
Our April sales in the Thrift Shop continued to break records, with a month of sales totaling $37,382. This follows a highly successful month of March sales of almost $36,000. We even generated one of our biggest sales weeks ever during the Easter holidays when we enjoyed a week of sales with just over $8,500.
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Box of donations from everyone, please
Our brisk Thrift Shop sales leads to a significant issue with making sure our donations keep up with our sales. So far this year we have sold 65,614 items in the Thrift Shop. That’s an incredible number, and one that demands more and more donations. So, we need your help. If you have a box of items waiting for you to have time to drop off at the shop, or a closet full of gently used items you need to sort and donate, please make the time and drop those things off at the Thrift Shop. Please don’t wait. We can use them now.
And, if you don’t have anything to donate, ask a friend or neighbor who might. If every ALGW member donated a box (or two or three), it would help us keep up with our customers’ growing demand for items to purchase and assure our strong sales will continue.
Filling Thrift Shop vacancies
Lately, with good weather and vacations arriving, there are often unfilled slots on the Thrift Shop schedule. Please remember to check the thrift shop schedule throughout the month to fill open slots.
Also, Sylvia Gnall has a list of members who will volunteer if available to fill in when called. That list goes out two days before the vacant shift comes up. We are updating the list. If you would like to be added please contact Donna Pamfilis at djpamfilis@gmail.com.
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Grants continue to be submitted
In the area of Grants, Chris Light, ALGW grants manager and writer extraordinaire, continues to submit grants to help underwrite our projects. She has submitted one to New Hanover County Community Foundation for OSB funding, as well as a request to Costco for funding. She also is submitting a grant to Landfall Foundation.
We should hear from all in the next several weeks.
However, she does need help. If you would like to write a grant or two, Chris is more than willing to train you to assist her. Please give her a call. It’s not hard and has big rewards when our programs are funded.
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Sunset Park Elementary School students created and published a book with the LTL grant awarded to their teachers.
School Philanthropy
Sheila Osann
Links to Learning
All of the Links to Learning final reports were received on time. Thirty-nine of the original 42 applications were funded. The total amount awarded was $25,870.
Some of the projects involved a small number of students (8-10) and some benefited the entire school population (up to 500). The estimate of total students benefiting from the LTL awards is over 8,000. Many projects and materials funded this year will continue to be used in our OSB schools in future years.
Operation School Bell
A successful shopping night at Target was held April 5 for 29 students from Williston Middle School. Each student was given $105 to spend on appropriate clothing and supplies for school. There were many happy smiles as the shoppers and their parents left.
The 27 elementary and PreK schools in the OSB program have received their spring distribution of clothing and supplies. The most popular items selected were leggings, underwear and pants. One school ordered water bottles for the entire school as the drinking fountains had been turned off. Several schools ordered Looking Smart Kits to teach hygiene to one grade level. We have returned more than $84,000 of school clothing and supplies to our three communities.
Nurse’s KNAPSacks
KNAPSacks were delivered to 24 elementary and three pre-K schools this year. More than $3,100 was spent by the elementary and preK schools. Ten high schools were added to the program this winter.
Forty-four Knapsacks, grocery bags and ALGW red bags were distributed to five schools in Brunswick, three in New Hanover, and two in Pender. The total cost for items in the spring distribution was $2,096. Next year they will receive two distributions. The nurses are thrilled to have these items.
Snack Packs
The committee packed and delivered 400 snack packs to Nourish NC in May. June 2 will be our big packing of 1600 snack packs. Twenty-five to 30 people are needed to help pack and at least four SUV’s/vans or a couple of trucks are needed to help transport all the packs. To volunteer, contact Ann Walsh at amwalsh7603@gmail.com. We will have delivered more than 4000 snack packs this fiscal year, spending almost $7,000.
SOAR
The SOAR Books were sent out the week of April 25. There were 2,416 books ordered and sent to 1,959 students. Every third grader in our 27 OSB schools will receive a book. The extra books have been given to the teachers for their distribution or for their libraries.
A truck bed is filled with snack packs ready for Ann Walsh and Elaine Smith to deliver to Nourish NC.
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Suzann Ankrom and Barb Lloyd trim shrubbery at Forest Hills ES during the annual Work on Wilmington event.
Marketing Communications
Cheryl DeVincentis
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The committee will meet May 25 at 10:00 for a wrap-up meeting/brunch at Cheryl's home. Please RSVP by May 18.
The agenda will include a discussion of this year's accomplishments.
Next year members can look forward to several clearly defined subcommittees to learn more about marketing communications and discover ways small investments of time and energy can create big results.
Anyone interested in serving on the standing committee or a subcommittee should contact Cheryl DeVincentis for additional information.
The next MMU will be the combined June/July or summer edition. Please note the deadlines listed below.
MMU Schedule
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Discover the details of our highly successful year's finances by checking our website.
Treasurer
Luana Queen
The FY 23 (2022-2023) budget was approved unanimously by the membership at the membership annual meeting on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Thank you!
The financials for the month ending April 30, 2022 are on the website. As you may have heard at the annual luncheon, this has been a year to celebrate. If you were not able to be there, take a look at what we have accomplished through April (almost $325,000 in revenue from the Thrift Shop and over $200,000 spent on school and community programs), and we still have one month in the fiscal year!
Please remember to submit any expenses or in-kind donations prior to our year-end on May 31, 2022. Forms to use for submission are on the website.
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A percentage of every dollar you spend
with Amazon is donated
to Assistance League of Greater Wilmington.
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............Important Dates........... |
Meetings & Events
May
22 Thrift Shop Inventory, 9:00
25 Marketing Communications Wrap-up Meeting, 10:00, Cheryl's home.
June
1 Old/New Board Meeting, 10:00
6 MMU Deadline for Old Board
July
5 MMU Deadline for Summer Edition
18 MMU Publication Date
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We want you!
Can you help
in any of the following capacities?
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Parliamentarian. Contact Marsha Olender.
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Fact Check
What is the process for adopting or amending our bylaws?
According to the Assistance League Redbook,
"Bylaws may be amended or new bylaws adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any regular meeting, or at any special meeting called for that purpose, provided that written notice of each proposed amendment or the proposed new bylaws shall have been given to each voting member at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of any such meeting, or at the previous regular meeting."
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