Variety – the Children’s Charity is honored to announce the recipients of the 2009 Young Professional Volunteer of the Year Awards. These young professionals represent various business sectors within the Greater Philadelphia Region and were recently recognized for selflessly giving back to the community through a number of volunteer efforts that collectively reach hundreds of thousands of people facing various challenges in Philadelphia.
Young Variety, the young professional arm of Variety, honored these six individuals at an awards ceremony held at The F.U.E.L. House on Arch Street in Philadelphia on Thursday, October 15th. The honorees, whose names are listed below, were recognized for their commitment, not only to Variety – The Children’s Charity, but also to a number of other non-profit organizations.
“So often, we hear of great people doing good things for others, but seldom are the young professionals of our region recognized for their volunteer efforts,” said Andrew Pack, Executive Director of Variety – the Children’s Charity. “These are the men and women who are shaping the future of the Greater Philadelphia Region, and for these six individuals to take on so many hours of volunteerism, to give back the way they do, all of us at Variety felt it important to recognize them for their selfless dedication to those in need.”
The 2009 Young Professional Volunteer of the Year Honorees are listed below along with their job titles and volunteer organizations.
• Steve Grandizio, Founder | Friendly Mortgage
Co-Founder of Little Smiles
Young Professional Network
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Young Professionals for Covenant House Pennsylvania
Young Variety
Greater Philadelphia Cares Principal for a Day
St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church
PA Covenant House Young Professionals
• Sheila Hess, Manager of Social Missions Programs | Independence Blue Cross
Board Member for the following organizations:
Young Variety
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee and Past Board President
for Young Professional Network (YPN)
Police Athletic League
Vice President / Back on My Feet
Independence Blue Cross’ Blue Crew Corporate Volunteer Program
Advisory member for Fred’s Footsteps – G. Fred DiBona, Jr. Foundation
Gwynedd-Mercy College School of Nursing
Penn HOSA Foundation
Young Professionals for Covenant House PA
• Brian Stevenson, Business Representative | IBEW Local 98
Board Member for Variety – The Children’s Charity
Past President, Young Variety
Member, Second Street Irish Society Charities
Co-Founder, Site Director and Board Member for PHYSED
Member, Saint John Neumann Alumni Board, Millay Club
Race Co-Founder, Two Street 5K Run Committee
• Cassandra Oryl, Senior Account Manager | Braithwaite Communications
Young Friends of Young Scholars Charter School, Founding Member
American Diabetes Association of Greater Philadelphia, Father of the Year Dinner Committee Member
Academy Ball (The Philadelphia Orchestra), Young Friends Committee Member
Saint Ignatius Nursing Home, Development Committee Member
Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit, Advisory Board Member
Irish American Chamber of Commerce, Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Member
Philly Start-Up Leaders, Volunteer
Tree House Books, Volunteer
• Amanda Basile, Marketing Development Manager | St. Joseph’s University
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS City to Shore Bike Tour Participant
Network of Executive Women, Committee Member
Image and Attitude in New Jersey, Volunteer
Manayunk Sports and Social Club, Volunteer
• Anne Mahlum, Founder and President | Back on My Feet
About Variety – The Children’s Charity:
The Philadelphia Chapter of Variety-The Children’s Charity was established in 1935 and provides various programs for children with physical and developmental disabilities throughout the Delaware Valley, including South Jersey and parts of Delaware. Our programs are designed to foster greater independence and to challenge children with disabilities to reach beyond their restrictions. For more information, visit www.varietyphila.org or call (215) 735 0803.
