The Great Valley Community Organization helps build a strong, vibrant and connected community by providing facilities, activities and programs enriching the lives of all local residents. |
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January 2021 GVCO Newsletter |
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Typically in our January Newsletter, I spend the time talking about all of GVCO’s program successes from the previous year. 2020 was an extraordinary year, with very challenging social, mental and health issues besieging every community across the nation.
However, what we have witnessed this past year in our Great Valley community was friends and neighbors “partnering” for the common good of the entire community. Community members, local business, other area non-profits, a local private school and our own GVCO organization working together to ease some of the burden right here at home. We have included some of these tremendous stories in this publication, and all is documented within our website.
In 2020 GVCO has sustained the financial pressure all non-profits have been under through the course of the year. But with the amazing support of the community, diligence and great leadership by many people involved with our community organization, we’re still here. You will be hearing a lot of “We’re Still Here” in the coming months as GVCO is hopeful there is a quick return to normalcy in 2021 and we get back on track with some of the extraordinary accomplishments we have planned for the coming year.
Keith Walsh
GVCO Executive Director
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GVCO Community Programming |
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The past years pandemic has taken its toll on everyone and the elderly have become most vulnerable. This past month GVCO has teamed up with Giant Food Stores and our local community partner, Surrey Services for Older Adults and tried to relieve some of burden for our communities elderly.
Through our Caring Hands community service group and their ongoing fundraising, GVCO purchased $1000 worth of gift cards, while Giant matched that with another $1000 worth of gift cards. Through the assistance of Surrey, we are donating these gift cards to a number of older adults within the district that Surrey has identified as in need of help to make ends meet. A true community effort to help those in need...right here in our community!
In addition GVCO further delivered holiday cheer for local area senior citizens this past holiday season! For the Great Valley, Phoenixville and Surrey Services senior center programs, GVCO Caring Hands donated 800 wrapped gifts to be distributed to area seniors to brighten their holidays.
Please go to our GVCO Caring Hands section of the site for additional info about what we have done, who we are helping and how you can get involved.
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The Siddhant Suresh Scholarship Fund |
GVCO and the Suresh family are proud to announce a new GVCO Scholarship Fund to help Great Valley families who are in need of financial assistance in order to participate in our programming.
This scholarship fund was created to honor the memory of Siddhant Suresh, a wonderful son and brother, beloved community member and an outstanding student who loved basketball and chess. Siddhant was a GVBL tournament team and recreation league player, who enjoyed the sport and played it with great team spirit and enthusiasm.
This scholarship will help others who may need assistance, giving them the opportunity to participate in GVCO programming. The initial funding is being made possible by a grant from the Suresh family and will be perpetuated by GVCO and the community going forward.
Participants must reside within Great Valley School District to be eligible for the scholarship funds.
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GVBL 2020-21 Winter Basketball League |
On January 4th, the state of Pennsylvania eased it's coronavirus restrictions, allowing our GVBL winter basketball to resume play after a short hiatus since mid-December.
We appreciate everyone's patience this winter GVBL season! Obviously the 2020 pandemic has put all of our lives in turmoil. "Hats off" to our basketball community as parents and grandparents, coaches and most of all the players, have shown a great deal of fortitude with all that has been asked of them this season.
GVBL will continue to deal with the extraordinary circumstances and provide the best possible experience for the kids and families participating through the final months of this GVBL season.
Thank you all for your resilience and flexibility.
We ask that everyone, spectators, coaches AND players, continue to wear masks AT ALL TIMES while in the gym/facilities.
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Great Valley Crew is getting ready for Spring Registrations!
Great Valley Crew Club is a co-ed rowing team for grades 8-12. This is a learn-to-row program that is great for beginners - no previous experience or tryouts to join the team!
GV Crew has Fall and Spring seasons and competes in local and regional regattas. Practices start March 1st and end May 16, 2021. Look for spring registration to open by January 22!
Also, You're Invited! Check out the GV Crew Online Auction, Let the Good Times Row! Bidding begins Saturday, January 16 at 7pm and runs through Saturday, January 23 at 10pm.
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If you have passed by the new GVCO Community Center site on Bacton Hill Rd, you have begun to see the transformation of the property.
We built a storage shed, began fencing in the property and opened the practice field in the back of the site. Our GVFL football and GV Cheer groups both held programming at the site this fall.
We have also held a number of community and fundraising events throughout the fall. And you may have seen a good bit of equipment being relocated as we begin to mobilize for future site work at the facility.
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GVCO Community Partnership |
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Partnering with local community minded businesses has allowed GVBL to continue to offer recreational basketball programs for kids to get out of the house and have fun.
When it was becoming apparent that the GVSD was not going to allow outside organizations to use district facilities in the fall, GVBL immediately reached out to one of its long time relationships in the community, the Phelps School, to help with our GVBL winter basketball program. It was a classic example of one community organization helping another community organization for the benefit of those living here in the region.
This winter Phelps opened their gym space allowing nearly 600 kids an opportunity to enjoy playing basketball, in this, GVBL’s 20th year in existence.
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GVCO Sponsorship Spotlight |
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Haly Home Comfort and Great Valley Propane |
Many Delaware Valley businesses are struggling to stay afloat as indoor operations have ceased once again just as the cold weather is driving people indoors. Great Valley Propane in Malvern is one example of the community embracing the spirit of giving when generosity is most needed. To ease the challenges the community currently faces, Haly’s Great Valley Propane has offered free propane fill-ups to local, family-owned restaurants while indoor dining is suspended, helping those restaurants heat outside dining areas that have been hastily added in the wake of the pandemic.
Great Valley Propane has operated in the Chester County area since 2006. Its sister store, Haly Home Comfort, originally Haly Oil, first opened its doors in 1985. Owner Bud Haly says for 35 years he has prioritized his customers and community. “We’re a family-owned business,” the Home Comfort website says. “We live where you live, we raise our kids here, and we strive to have a positive impact on the environment. Our community is your community, and your friends are our friends.”
Just recently they continued to show their generosity to the local community and some of the area’s first responders. A recent post from the West Chester Borough Police Department, “Thank You to Haly Home Comfort and Great Valley Propane for providing an awesome lunch for our Officers today!”
The entire Haly family has been a tremendous supporter and sponsor to GVCO through the years, not only from the tens of thousands of dollars in donations, but also the amount of time and energy dedicated over the past 20 years of our existence.
Thank you!
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New GVCO Community Center |
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See the Future GVCO Community Center |
We need your help to finish what we've started! We will not get the necessary financing to complete the project without raising additional funds.
DONATE NOW to finalize the building of our brand new GVCO Community Center!
The time is NOW.... Together we can make it happen!
Check out the program pages:
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Does your company match employee gifts? It's a great way to maximize your impact!
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