Wet weather didn’t dampen spirit of annual fundraiser
Fundraising celebrated; longtime executive director leaving
UPPER PROVIDENCE » Even nasty weather and muddy grounds couldn’t dampen the spirit of the generous guests who attended the annual Bluegrass and BBQ fundraiser for CityTeam.
Held annually to raise money for CityTeam in Chester, this year’s event took place Sunday inside the beautifully decorated barn and an adjacent tent on the property of Adam and Bethany Sacks in Upper Providence.
“We are humbled by how many people came to this year’s event, even in rainy weather, to support the important work we do at CityTeam,” said CityTeam Executive Director Kwinn Tucker. “It truly is something special to see people give so generously, especially when we are needing it most.”
The Bluegrass and BBQ raises much-needed funds for the programs at CityTeam, a faith-based ministry in Chester that helps marginalized men and women through a variety of residential and community programs.
CityTeam programs include family services, food services, a men’s shelter, the learning and career center, the medical and dental care clinic, and the mother’s and baby care program.
Media resident Ed Miles said that although he has donated to CityTeam for a number of years, this was the first time he attended the in-person fundraiser.
“I gained an appreciation
of CityTeam after they held graduations at Valley Pointe Church,” Miles shared. “That’s my church so I heard first-hand stories and testimonials from the men, how Christ guided them to change their lives and it really struck me. I wanted to help.”
Linda Clark of Media said that it was her second time attending the fundraiser. Hostess Bethany Sacks is her friend and she initially introduced Clark to the mission of CityTeam.
“I own a flower farm in Glen Mills so I made some of the centerpieces for the
tables tonight,” she shared. “After I looked at CityTeam’s website and learned more about their mission, I began helping, too.”
Sunday night’s event began with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, socializing and entertainment by a bluegrass band, followed by a barbecue dinner prepared by Jimmy’s BBQ of Malvern, testimonials on a big screen and a live auction.
Auction items included several unique opportunities, including a personal dinner for 10 prepared by world-class chef Paul Marshall at his Malvern home, a one-week stay at a condo in Bethany Beach, Delaware, a fully catered dinner by Jimmy’s BBQ for 30 people in the Sacks’ barn, and a tour and tasting at 2SP Brewery for 10 people.
Following the live auction, aptly emceed by longtime CityTeam supporter attorney Theresa Murtagh, several audience members raised their hands to commit to donating $12,000 each to totally fund a man’s journey through CityTeam’s recovery program, $1,000 to finance one man’s education, technology and career counseling and $500 to pay for one man’s safe shelter for a month.
After the auction, guests filed back to the barn, decked out in autumn splendor, for desserts and more socializing and festivities.
Guest Liz Altieri of Glen Mills shared that she got the bug to make CityTeam her charity of choice 20 years ago, during a community service outing while a high school student at Delaware County Christian School. The tour she took as a teenager “impressed her” and she especially liked how they served the men “good food” so that they kept their dignity.
“I like the way they respect those that they serve,” the longtime CityTeam supporter said. “CityTeam is a great Christian ministry. We really need ministries like CityTeam now more than ever, with addictions so widespread.”
Altieri said this was her fourth year attending the Bluegrass and BBQ event,
because she “likes the fun energy and good vibes” there.
“It’s not like some other organizations’ fundraisers,” she shared. “This one is always enjoyable.”
According to Richona McKnight, director of development at CityTeam, Sunday night’s fundraiser brought in a little over $189,000. McKnight said CityTeam staff is still optimistic that they’ll reach their pre-set goal of $200,000 after receiving a few more gifts from supporters during this week.
Mostly everything used
for the event was donated by local businesses and individuals, to keep overhead low so monies raised go directly to CityTeam’s lifechanging programs. Many volunteers hustled around to be sure the event was running smoothly.
Genho Fortune of Philadelphia, a student at Neumann University, said he volunteered to help out, as part of his Senior Seminar. He was asked to select four volunteer opportunities, and the BBQ Fundraiser was one of them.
“I’m really enjoying help
ing out,” Fortune stated. “I always believed if somebody can’t and you could, why not help them. This volunteer opportunity fits that belief of mine.”
Food donors included The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company at Booth’s Corner, The Franklin Fountain and LaPadella. Beverage donors included Deschere’s Selected Wine and Spirits and Sterling Pig Brewery.
Auction items were donated by 2SP Brewing Co., Jimmy’s BBQ, The Kimmel Center, The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Adam and Bethany Sacks, Mark and Christine Turner, Chef Paul Marshall and Dan Huie.
The night’s VIP sponsors were Bob and Carolyn Turner. Other major sponsors included Adam and Bethany Sacks, Mark and Christine Turner, Val and Bob Wright, Andy and Amy Hunt, and Jane North. Table sponsors included Jim Durham, Genvest Strategy Group, Harrah’s Philadelphia and TD Bank.
After they watched a short film depicting the programs at CityTeam and hearing testimonials from some of its residents, the audience heard from Raj Lewis, program director of CityTeam’s Men’s Residential Programs. Lewis told attendees that no one can help the family that they’re born into, and often CityTeam
residents found that out first hand. Many men come from family backgrounds of abuse, neglect and abandonment.
“Our programs make us there for these men, every step of the way,” Lewis said to attendees. “These men often feel like they have no one, but at CityTeam, they do have someone: They have us and all of you. Together, we help them turn their lives around.”
In a surprise announcement toward the end of the fundraiser, advisory board member Andy Hunt came up on the microphone to tell the crowd that, after 21 years, longtime Executive Director Kwinn Tucker would be leaving CityTeam at the end of this year.
“Kwinn has gone from a college intern here, who made a commitment to serve one year to help strengthen the mother-baby program to director of the program and then to executive director,” Hunt said. “There isn’t one part of CityTeam where Kwinn’s dedication and hard work hasn’t made a difference. Kwinn has always shown compassion, a word that has a prefix and root from Latin that means to suffer with a person. Kwinn has always done that and had true empathy for every person who comes through our doors. She has done her job well here.”
The attendees gave Tucker a standing ovation. Tucker took the mic and said that CityTeam has everything in place to keep moving forward.
“I’m walking away from here with far more than I ever had when I came,” Tucker said, with emotion. “CityTeam has been a place where I could truly live out my faith. I feel like it is time for new leadership and CityTeam will continue to evolve and meet the needs of the people it serves.”
A new executive director is expected to be named within a few weeks.
“Everything that CityTeam is today is because of its exceptional staff, volunteers and donors,” Tucker exclaimed. “They are what makes us what and who we are.”
To find out more information about CityTeam, about donating or volunteering, contact Richona Mcknight at rmcknight@ cityteam.org or call 610-8726865 ext. 6113 or visit http://www. cityteam.org/chester.