Our Summer Support Campaign is complete as we have reached 100% of our goal. We want to thank our AMAZING Ballantyne community for coming together to sponsor all 71 families who were facing food insecurity for the summer with a total $32,320 in grocery gift cards. Families will now be able to rest easier knowing they will be able to provide food for their families, while students are home for the summer and aren’t able to get breakfast or lunch at school.
A Huge THANK YOU to the following for helping make this all come together:
· Brighthouse Financial - graciously donated $15,000 that went toward our spring break food support and the remaining funds went to summer support sponsoring families.
· An anonymous $5,000 matching donation was a wonderful surprise and a big help in reaching our goal of 100%.
· Community House Middle School’s Global Studies students with the leadership of Ms. Neilsen had “Penny Wars” at CHMS. Ms. Neilsen allowed her students to vote on this year's fundraiser and they chose world hunger. Since the theme of her class is "Think Globally, Act Locally,” they decided to fundraise for Ballanytne Families. They collected $685.39!
. True 180 Personal Training – graciously adopted many families for the summer giving.
· Flow Business Solutions – They are a marketing organization who is working with us pro-bono to help stream line our messaging, and thanks to Kerry Doub for making the introduction!
·
Heather McAfee - Executive director/founder who continues inspire and guide us all in continuing to be a helping hand to our neighbors in need.
·
Lauren Rosenbaum - Our secretary has worked very hard behind the scenes supporting and giving valuable feedback and help.
·
Debora Pupo – Communications Chair leads our communication efforts in informing our community across many platforms.
·
Sally Pickard – Social Media Chair leads our social media postings.
· Julie White -Notes Coordinator leads the effort to create encouraging notes that really lift and brighten a family’s day to see someone took the time to create a beautiful card for them. Julie worked with several groups to make this amazing project come to life. o Community House Middle School NJHS, Brownie Troop 3497 & Troop Leader Leigh Anne Baker, Cecilia Bolling/Morrison YMCA Leaders, Ridge Road Middle School, Ann Del Vecchio, Melanie Bona, and Olivia White.
·
Tori Collins- Treasurer has organized the families sponsored and the funds coming in from different platforms.
· Our school counselors/social worker go above and beyond to let families know we are here to assist and care for them. They truly are amazing to our families and helping in creating a bridge to families: Jon Rochester (AK), Corinne McBrier/Julie Romanin (Ballantyne Elementary), Amber Brown (Elon Park Elementary), Taletha Tucker (Endhaven Elementary), Mary Bleich (Hawk Ridge Elementary), Melissa Stevenson (Polo Ridge Elementary), Valerie Johnson (Community House Middle), Lisa Smith (Jay M. Robinson Middle), Amber Heine/Kristin Gartner (Rea Farms)
· School and Neighborhood Champions- helped to spread our communications through our 9 schools and the neighborhoods that feed into our schools we serve: Lauren Rosenbaum (AK), Chelsea Schlepp (Ballantyne Elementary), Beth Patterson (Elon Park Elementary), Kim Overcash (Endhaven Elementary), Kelly Regueria (Polo Ridge Elementary), Merete McMaster (Polo Ridge Elementary), Debora Pupo (Community House Middle), Denise Oswald/Esther Lawani (Jay M. Robinson Middle), Maggie Webb (Rea Farms).
We truly appreciate our Ballantyne community continuing to partner with Ballantyne Families to help our neighbors who are experiencing challenging times. We wish you and your family a safe and restful summer!
Melissa Graham & Denise Oswald Summer Support Co-Chairs
Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need
https://www.linktr.ee/ballantynefamilies
