United Way’s ‘Celebrate to Elevate’
The lobby of the Wyndham Grand ballroom was alive with enthusiastic conversations Wednesday night as more than 400 guests, mostly women, mingled. They were there for United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Women’s Leadership Council’s “Celebrate to Elevate” event.
The focus was centered on the WLC’s 400 new members and the work the council does in the region. The organization is on course to be the second-largest WLC in the United States with more than 2,300 members.
“This is a celebration of women leaders in our community who contribute their time and incredible resources to people in need,” said Bobbi West Geer, president of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Following cocktails, everyone sat for a short program focusing on the accomplishments and the mission of the WLC.
“In the past year the WLC members have contributed a recordbreaking $9.4 million, and tonight we celebrate the collective, caring power that women have to make significant change in the lives of women, children and families in our local community,” said cochair Keri Brown, to loud applause.
Brown’s WLC co-chair Stephanie Sciullo noted how every donation helps.
“For every $75 dollars we raise tonight, we help five people in our community, and that is critical because two out of three who call the United Way’s 211 help line are women and families in need,” Sciullo said.
Helping to generate the uplifting vibe of the evening were event chairs Tammy Wolf and Renee Coyner. Once the remarks ended, the doors separating the ballrooms opened to reveal food, music and prizes.
WLC supporters included board member Christine Bryant, incoming WLC co-chair Maris Dauer, Steffanie Jasper, Mary Richter, Laura Miller, Sheryl Kashuba, Olivia Cestra, and Stacy Juchno with Rob DiMichiei.