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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November 2020 GVCO Newsletter |
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As we begin to close out the year, like many non-profits, GVCO has struggled with a lot of tough decisions in 2020. However, it appears through exceptional leadership from the GVCO Board and our program advisory boards, along with wonderful community support, GVCO has “weathered the storm” and we're still here. Sustainability, especially during unprecedented times, often measures the strength of any organization.
Clearly, the unexpected environment brought about by the pandemic has made everyone take a hard look at what we value…and obviously family and community is at the top of that list.
Once again we have witnessed why our Great Valley community is an outstanding place to live, work and play. This year has brought about extraordinary philanthropy (see “Community Programming” below); a higher level of volunteerism in all of our programming as students and adults realize the importance of “giving back”; and working together with the community, finding safe and healthy ways to continue offering programming, even amidst the current circumstances.
GVCO is very much looking forward to 2021 as we are hopeful for the return to a more “normal” existence. Thanks for being part of our community. Thanks for the help!
Keith Walsh
GVCO Executive Director
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GVCO Community Programming |
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GVCO Caring Hands Foundation is happy to announce Chris Morris is joining the team and taking a leadership role in the organization. We look forward to his stewardship in moving the community programming forward.
During the 2nd quarter this year, at the start of the pandemic, GVCO partnered with the community to support frontline responders at the local hospitals by donating 300 specialty headbands and raising $4700 for grocery gift cards for families in need in the district.
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In October and November, the outpouring of community support continued as the pandemic persisted in taking a greater toll on those in need.
Partnering with an online gift retailer who donated hundreds of gifts, GVCO held a Tent Sale at the new GVCO Community Center site. During four weekends volunteers sold over $5000 worth of gifts.
Once again GVCO will be donating the monies raised to those in need within the district.
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Lastly, our student led GVCO Caring Hands Foundation held its 2nd Annual Donation Drive through a partnership with Cradles to Crayons. Once again our Great Valley community “came through”!
There was a truckload of new and gently used clothes, shoes, diapers, coats, school supplies and more.
All was donated by the community, sorted and bagged by 20 student volunteers and transported to the C2C warehouse in Wissahickon by adult volunteers.
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Just about all of the above was accomplished at the new GVCO Community Center site on Bacton Hill Rd.
GVCO is excited as it allowed us to get an early “snapshot” of the potential our new home has and the powerful impact that it will have for the community and region.
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Our GV Crew program was the first GVCO program to re-engage in the fall and saw a record number of rowers register, eager to begin training and get on the water.
In an effort to do their part within the community, the crew program held a couple of Dine&Donates to help some local eateries during this difficult time (Tonino's and Chipotle). And once again our organization and local business showed the benefit of working together in the community as ReMax Barbera hosted the semi-annual GV Crew car wash.
GV Crew also received some great news for the Spring 2021 season, as they came to an agreement with the Upper Merion crew program and will begin rowing from the UM Bridgeport boathouse on the Schuylkill River again.
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Despite the GVFL tackle football program being canceled due to the pandemic, GVFL had some very successful flag football programs this fall. GVCO opened its playing field at the new GVCO Community Center site on Bacton Hill and GVFL continued to hold their K-1st grade flag program while introducing a new Co-Ed high school flag football league.
GVCO K-1 Flag welcomed many new players this season and the kids worked hard on learning their skills. The season ending play-offs showed off the impressive improvement of all the kids. After the traditional end of season tug-of-war, the players were announced and received personal player cards! Special thanks to our coaches, fans and cheerleaders. Congratulations to all on a great season!
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The inaugural Co-Ed High School Flag League was a tremendous success! Each beautiful autumn Sunday, the boys...and girls...of fall would be out there tossing the pigskin around.
Games were refereed by college aged GVFL alumni. The HS kids formed their own teams, playing a full schedule each week and culminating in the GVFL Co-Ed HS League Superbowl in mid-November. This year's champion, Get O'Delled defeated The Woo in a high scoring affair, 76-70.
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GVCO Sideline Cheer Fall 2020 Programs were a great success under the leadership of Stefanie Robinson, Cheer Director.
GV Flag Cheer wrapped up their season performing twice during two halftimes at the flag football playoff games. After the games, they cheered for the football players tug of war games.
During the end of season ceremony, Coach Livy announced each cheerleader’s name and they received their player cards. They then created a tunnel for the football players to run through when they were announced. What a great season!!
GV Cheer Clinic's last clinic of the season was full of a lot of fun games and activities that helped the cheerleaders conditioned but also gave them an opportunity to finish the season on a good note. Thank you to the volunteers who helped us out this year!
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GVBL 2020-21 Winter Basketball League |
When it was becoming apparent that the GVSD was not going to allow outside organizations to use district facilities in the fall, GVBL immediately reached out to one of its long time relationships in the community, the Phelps School, to help with our GVBL winter basketball program. It was a classic example of one community organization helping another community organization for the benefit of those living here in the region.
This winter Phelps opened their gym space allowing nearly 600 kids an opportunity to enjoy playing basketball, in this, GVBL’s 20th year in existence.
After a great deal of thought with regard to the health/safety of all those that would be involved, GVBL leadership felt it had a thorough set of guidelines and protocols in place to safely host the league.
Registration opened on September 30th and by early November, 50+ teams were formed, volunteer coaches were in place, and a schedule developed. Balls began bouncing and games started!
This was a herculean effort by the GVBL leadership to pull it all together in such a short amount of time, in a very challenging environment. But greater kudo’s go out to the kids, parents and families who showed a good deal of patience while things were coming together, including all of those who are volunteering their time to make this season happen.
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If you have passed by the new GVCO Community Center site on Bacton Hill Rd, you have begun to see the transformation of the property.
We built a storage shed, began fencing in the property and opened the practice field in the back of the site. Our GVFL football and GV Cheer groups both held programming at the site this fall.
We have also held a number of community and fundraising events throughout the fall. And you may have seen a good bit of equipment being relocated as we begin to mobilize for future site work at the facility.
If you get the opportunity take a ride by and begin to watch the progress as we move into the 2021 calendar year.
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GVCO Celebrates our Giving Community |
On Giving Tuesday December 1st, GVCO shared this message with the community:
GVCO asks that you think about all the others in our community that are currently working through some hardships and tough times and take the time to give generously to those very much in need on this day of giving.
Throughout the year GVCO calls on the community to give through our Caring Hands Foundation, Dine&Donates, car washes, Cradles to Crayons, food and sneaker drives, and numerous other fundraisers. In 2021 we will ask again, as we will still be here! In this crazy year let's be thankful for what we have, and on this day, think about those who are much less fortunate.
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New GVCO Community Center |
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See the Future GVCO Community Center |
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.
DONATE NOW to finalize the building of our brand new GVCO Community Center!
The time is NOW.... Together we can make it happen!
Check out the program pages:
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The Desmond Malvern is introducing virtual Dinner with Santa!
Hope you'll enjoy our 2020 adaptation of traditional brunch with Santa!
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The Chuck Barbera Team of REALTORS/ RE/MAX Partners with GVCO in “REALTORS Giving Back” Program
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BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOME?
For anyone who contacts the Chuck Barbera Team at RE/MAX Fine Homes and signs them to serve in the purchase or sale of their next home, GVCO will receive 10% of the real estate commission received!
Let's DO GOOD TOGETHER!!!
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Does your company match employee gifts? It's a great way to maximize your impact!
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