SPRINGFIELD — A lot of angels recently came out to Springfield Country Club in full force, all to support CityTeam Chester at its 14th annual Angel Event, a silent auction and luncheon fundraiser.
Proceeds will underwrite programs and services at CityTeam for vulnerable women, children, and families in Chester and across the Delaware Valley.
Kwinn Tucker, CityTeam executive director, expressed her gratitude to those who came out to the event, and all those who support CityTeam.
“We are extraordinarily grateful to everyone who helps us share God’s love to the homeless and those suffering from poverty here in the Greater Delaware Valley,” she said. “Your support makes a direct impact every day as we show God’s love through a hot meal, fresh produce to take home, diapers and formula for little ones, a safe night of shelter, or a listening ear in a moment of desperation. Most of all, our guests receive the hope that only God can provide and these moments can provide relief and inspire change.”
Attendees did their bidding virtually, many walking around the Springfield Country Club’s ballroom prior to the luncheon to view the items in real time, rather than online, before posting their bids on their smartphones. The winning bidders got notified by text or email toward the end of the luncheon to expedite the process of paying and picking up their items.
Attendees also were able to purchase one or more of 220 small champagne bottles, each tagged with a number for a raffle.
The winner was allowed to choose among trips to St. Croix, Lake Tahoe or Tuscany, donated by Bill and Judy Strine.
Raffle proceeds benefited CityTeam’s Turning Point program. The lucky winner was Dawn Matthews of Drexel Hill, who was undecided at the event which destination that she would choose.
Donna Ryan-Davis and her daughter Melody Davis, both of Alloway, New Jersey, attend the Angel event every year. The former Wawa corporate employees said they travel to the event because of what it benefits.
“When I worked for the supply chain of Wawa, I came to know Anna Donahoe and Kwinn Tucker and others at CityTeam,” Ryan-Davis stated. “They do so many good things at CityTeam so I come back to this nice event every year. Once you spend any time at all at CityTeam, you end up loving it and wanting to support it.”
Emcee Theresa Flanagan Murtagh, a longtime supporter of CityTeam, rallied the crowd to “open their pockets” and give generously.
During lunch, attendees watched a program on the big screen about the ways CityTeam helps men, women and children through an assortment of outreach and residential programs.
During the event, guests also heard a variety of testimonials on how the ministry turned lives around. Anna Donahoe, director of the Mother-Baby Care program, spoke to guests about the ways CityTeam serves as a lifeline for mothers to help families get back on their feet.
The big honor
Afterward, a special award was presented to David Kelleher, owner of David Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Glen Mills, for his continued generosity to CityTeam.
The CityTeam staff told how Kelleher and his employees, family and friends collect thousands of winter coats each year for children in need, as well as supply thousands of toys and food for the holidays.
“The first time that I had the coat drive, I collected 70 new coats,” Kelleher shared. “I called Sen. (Dominic F.) Pileggi and asked him who could use the coats the most and he referred me to CityTeam. I choked up the first time that I put a coat on a child there. They took me for a tour and it impacted me so much. I’ve been hooked ever since and I got many of my employees, family and friends involved. I see such beauty in the programs of CityTeam. This award means more to me than I could ever tell you.”
At the event, David pledged a generous gift right on the spot, after hearing the Angel Event’s fundraising goal was $240,000.
“I hate odd numbers,” he joked, “I’ll donate $10,000 to make it $250,000!”
The business owner also mentioned that he’s currently putting up another building at the David Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram site in Glen Mills, which will have many service bays.
The larger facility will enable Kelleher and his team to hire some of the individuals graduating from CityTeam programs to teach them marketable on-the-job skills for gainful employment at decent wages.
Megan Dugan of Glen Mills attends the Angel Event each year with her sister Kristin Miles of Upper Chichester and Miles’ daughter Jorden Polisky of Glen Mills, because all three women believe in the cause.
“My father (Ray Van Horn) was a classmate of the late Jack Klotz at the former St. James High School,” Dugan explained. “Jack was instrumental in every way at CityTeam and he had my dad’s St. James class do fundraisers. CityTeam became one of my Dad’s favorite charities. At Wawa, we’re always looking for places to volunteer and I immediately thought of CityTeam. Wawa has been a friend of CityTeam for many years now. I particularly like this event because it benefits mothers and babies.”
Miles, who works at Penn Medicine, agreed.
“I like this event because it allows us to support what CityTeam does,” Miles said. “I love hearing the stories from moms here, giving testimonials about how CityTeam has helped them. I just enjoy getting together with my sister and niece and supporting those served at CityTeam.”
This year’s Angel Event sponsors included Adam and Bethany Sacks, Psalm 103 Foundation, Andy and Amy Hunt, John and Annette Alessi, Ed and Debbie Miles, Mark and Christine Turner, Val and Bob Wright, Associated Specialty Contracting Inc., Keystone First, Covanta, Constellation Energy, Jim Durham, Carole Landis Foundation for Social Action, TD Bank, Jane Laffend, Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack, Merrick Family Foundation, John and Patricia Tudor, Lauren Deritis Vaccaro, WSFS Bank, Brinker Simpson & Company, Jay North and Robin and Rusty Smith.
Tucker, the executive director, said that CityTeam drew in around $200,000 from the fundraising event.
“Our goal was $240,000, so we are hoping for a few final gifts this week to let us reach our goal,” the director said.
For more information on CityTeam, and to find out how to volunteer, how to support, and about the services and programs offered there, visit https://cityteam.org/chester.
Source: delcotimes.com
