Christine’s Hope for Kids founder Jean Gianacaci presents a donation to YMCA CEO Doug Pszczolkowski to kick of the Annual Support Campaign. Pictured are (back) Doug Pszczolkowski, Kyle Pisauro, Jiya Pandit, Chloe Ayers, Dan Polverjean and Jean Gianacaci; (front) Lyla Malloy, Daniele Eckert, Kyra Malloy and Delaney Mutschler.
Hopewell Valley YMCA selected Jean & John Gianacaci, founders of Christine’s Hope for Kids, as the recipients of the 2014 Larry Rothwell Social Responsibility Award.
The Gianacaci Family will be recognized at the YMCA Spring Gala, scheduled for April 25 at TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton.
The Larry Rothwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes heroes and leaders in the community who put service to others as a guiding light. Named after Larry Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market, the award emphasizes a premier area of focus of the Hopewell Valley YMCA’s Mission, programs and services. The award was first presented to Sheryl Stone in 2013.
A selection committee consisting of past YMCA volunteer honorees reviewed a list of nominations for this year’s award. The committee was unanimous in selecting the Gianacaci Family because of their impact through Christine’s Hope for Kids.
After losing their daughter, Christine, in Haiti in the 2010 earthquake, the Gianacaci family created Christine’s Hope for Kids to carry on her legacy and desire to help underprivileged children have an opportunity for a better life.
Christine was on a “Journey of Hope” trip with her school, Lynn University when the hotel collapsed and killed her and five other volunteers from the school.
Jean and John began Christine’s Hope for Kids with a focus on helping at the local community level. The foundation has raised money to support many efforts and signature programs; Back to School with a Smile, Pennies from Heaven, Pajama Bags and Christine’s Heroes are just a few.
Christine’s Hope for Kids has donated more than $375,000 to local youth organizations.
The organization provides funds to the Hopewell Valley YMCA Annual Campaign for Kids, which in turn provides financial assistance for summer camp and afterschool programming.
The 2014 Spring Gala is scheduled for 7 to 11 p.m. April 25 at TPC Jasna Polana. It features a buffet meal with drinks and silent and live auctions.
More information is online at hvymca.org.
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