October 8, 2020
Coach Update
You may have heard that Coach Florio had to step down this week for personal reasons. We'd like to thank him for helping this team off to a strong start this Fall. Given the challenges we've had with the boathouse, he has been super flexible and worked hard to get our kids ready to get on the water. We wish him the best.

He would like to share this message:

I sincerely apologize for abruptly resigning mid-season. The team and parents group are an amazing group with a lot to offer. In my short time at Great Valley Crew I have seen the athletes dive into becoming a team and working to improve. I wish you all the best success going forward, you have a great future ahead of you.
Sincerely,
David Florio

We have an interim coach ready to go this Friday. John Ryan was recommended by one of our board members. We will follow up soon with more info on Coach Ryan.
Crew Family Picnic
Let's get together! We are planning a socially distanced social event on Saturday, October 24 at the WYRA Boathouse (Rain date 10/31). Bring the kids to practice, but don't forget your chairs & masks. We'll be grilling and we spread out and set up our chairs by the dock and watch the kids row. Look for an Evite to RSVP and a Sign-Up Genius to contribute for the event.
Questions: Contact Yi-Ming at chiuym@yahoo.com
Upcoming Fundraisers
Save the dates and support GV Crew while taking the night off and ordering out. Also, please encourage friends and family to support by sharing via email and social media.
Tonino's - Thursday, October 22
Chipotle - Saturday, November 7
Crew Gear
Look for an email soon with details for ordering GV Crew Spirit Wear. We will be offering tees, hoodies, sweatpants, hats, flannel pj's, and face masks. Thanks to Linda McCarthy for getting this put together!
Boathouse Update
Who knew that our biggest challenge this season would not be COVID, but access to the river? Due to unfortunate delays to the repair of the dock at the Trinsey Boathouse in Bridgeport, we are trying to arrange rowing out of our old boathouse, WYRA in Wilmington, for the month of October, beginning with Friday, October 2. We realize that this is a bit farther than we planned for this season, but we hope that just getting on the water will be worth the trip.

For those who are new, WYRA is near the Amtrak station in Wilmington Delaware.
Address: 500 E Front St, Wilmington, DE 19801

Practices will be:
3:45-6:15 M-W-F
and 10-1 on Saturdays
Preparing to get on the water...
As the weather turns cooler and the rowers get on the water, here are a few tips to prepare for practices:
  • Wear a few tight layers
  • No large, loose garments that may get caught in moving parts
  • Bring thick, warm socks (plus a dry pair for the ride home)
  • Bring a reusable water bottle
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses for sunny days
  • Tight fitting hat or headband that covers the ears for colder days
Fundraising Update
Thank you to all who joined our Fundraising meeting on September 22! We had a great brainstorming session and have a big announcement: Meg Joy and Theresa Friedman have volunteered to Co-Chair the Fundraising Committee!

Fundraising News:

The car wash was a huge success, raising $1065! We may schedule another one soon if weather looks like it will cooperate.

Crew Families: Please consider items/services that you can donate for an online auction this Fall. We don't want to ask too much of our business partners like we have in the past as we know many businesses are struggling right now. Any donations and ideas, please send to:
Theresa Friedman - theresadfriedman@gmail.com
and Meg Joy - megjoy@comcast.net
Volunteer with Great Valley Crew
As you may know, we need "all hands on deck" to keep GV Crew "afloat".

All puns aside, please consider where you may be able to help. Below is a list of volunteer opportunities. You can fill an open spot (we'll help you) or you can contact someone on the list to see if they need help. When certain events, we'll put out another call for more specific opportunities to volunteer.

Program Director: JOHN BREWER - gvcrewpd@gmail.com
The program director works closely with the coaches and the GV Crew Board of Directors to see that everything runs smoothly for GV Crew.

Marketing/Communications: ROBIN BREWER - gvcrewm@gmail.com
Sends newsletters, emails, and oversees social media and REMIND text messages.

Treasurer/Uniforms/Spirit wear: LINDA McCARTHY - mcpip516@gmail.com
Keeps track of income and expenses and reports back to program director and GVCO. Also orders/sells uniforms and spirit wear. Thank you to previous treasurer, Pat McDonald!

Hospitality: YI-MING CHIU - chiuym@yahoo.com
Coordinates refreshments and hospitality tent for regattas. Also, help plan other team events like start-of-season/end-of-season picnics. You will receive plenty of support from our amazing previous hospitality chairs, Allen and Laura Brinton.

Carpool: ALLYSON BABCOCK - babcock4@comcast.net
Organizes parent carpool for team practices. Has done an incredible job for several seasons already!

Rower Spotlight: VIJAYA PRISSAPRAGADA - p_vijaya76@yahoo.com
Prepare team spotlight features for social media and newsletters. This is a new one, we are looking forward to a more personalized highlight of our team members! Thanks Vijaya!

Fundraising: THERESA FRIEDMAN AND MEG JOY
theresadfriedman@gmail.com and megjoy@comcast.net
Oversees several fundraisers for the team, including annual Blue Jean Ball.
We need a new chairperson, however, you will have a lot of support from our previous chair, Jen Grobe, as well as others who have helped in the past. Jen has done an incredible job for us in the past and we are so thankful!
COVID Safety Plan

Please read our COVID Safety Guidelines HERE.
Or you can download the PDF HERE
Email Updates
Would you like an additional email to receive our newsletter or would you like to unsubscribe? Email Robin at gvcrewm@gmail.com
Questions about GV Crew? Contact John Brewer at gvcrewpd@gmail.com
For additions to the newsletter: Email Robin Brewer at gvcrewm@gmail.com
Great Valley Community Organization
GVBL Winter League 2020-21
SIGN UP NOW for GVBL Winter Rec League for boys grades 1-8 and girls grades 1-8 divisions and take advantage of Early Bird pricing until October 12th!

Each division focuses on developing appropriate age level skills to help the athletes improve, while showing good sportsmanship.

All players, new and returning, must attend a skills assessment session in mid-October to help GVBL ensure fair & balanced teams. Skills assessment schedules will be available shortly on the website.

Skills assessments will begin mid-October, so get your registration in now.

Assessments and Games will be held at:
583 Sugartown Rd, Malvern


If your child does NOT attend a Great Valley school, St. Patrick's, Malvern Prep or Villa Maria, please contact basketball@gvco.org for further instruction BEFORE registering.
GVBL Tournament Teams
The mission of the GVBL Tournament Program is to provide participants the opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of basketball at a highly competitive level.

The GVBL Tournament Program will develop and improve individual as well as team skills, promote good sportsmanship, and team spirit. GVBL operates Tournament Programs for boys and girls in grades 4 - 8. Tournament team try-outs start October 12th!

For the latest information, see GVBL Tournament Team Programs and GVBL Tournament Team Policies
GVCO Fall Flag Football
GVCO Flag Football enjoyed another nice weekend of football.

GV K-1 Flag played their official season opening games and the GV HS Co-Ed games continued their high scoring ways!

For more information:
GVCO Sideline Cheer
FLAG CHEERLEADING
This weekend, the Kindergarten and 1st grade Flag cheerleaders began cheering for the flag football games. Each cheerleader received poms and a pink cheer shirt. They learned over six different cheers. During halftime of the flag football games, the cheerleaders went out on the field to show the fans what they learned by cheering to them and getting them excited for the remainder of the game.

CHEER CLINICS

The cheer clinics are for the tackle cheerleaders (Grades 2-6) to continue to keep engaged in the GVCO cheer program. Since there were no GVFL tackle football games this season, the clinics are focused on learning cheers, jumps, conditioning, etc. The cheers being taught at the clinics are the same cheers that GVMS and GVHS learn for the high school football games.  All cheerleaders receive poms during the clinics. 

For more information:
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!
GVCO Sponsor
Chuck Barbera Team of Realtors/ RE/MAX Partners with GVCO in "Realtors Giving Back"!
BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOME?

Over the next year, for anyone who contacts the Chuck Barbera Team at RE/MAX Fine Homes and signs them to serve in the purchase or sale of their next home, GVCO will receive 10% of the real estate commission received!

Let's DO GOOD TOGETHER!!!  
Does your company match employee gifts? It's a great way to maximize your impact!

List of companies with corporate matching gift programs. Please check your company policy.
CONNECT WITH US
Great Valley Crew