February 15, 2023
GVBL BHS Playoffs
FEBRUARY MADNESS IS HERE!

This may be our best year yet. The GVBL BHS division has been a rousing success since day - one 13 years ago, and the boys really seem to enjoy it. It's always competitive and nearly always fun. It's rare that we have any issues or problems. And as I see kids return to the area after school or a job, sometimes years later, those men often come over to me and ask, "How is GVBL doing?" Some of the fondest memories are from their years at GVBL and this BHS division. Pretty cool stuff!
 
As we wind down the season, I have a final "ask" from the parents of those boys playing in the GVBL BHS division. We are asking each family to donate $10 to our GVBL March Madness fundraiser. The event committee will use the cash to purchase premium auction items for the fundraiser. Last year's purchase of Coldplay and Zac Brown concert tickets were a huge hit at the auction.

In the 1st - 8th grade divisions, each team has a theme and each family contributes an item or $10 towards the theme basket. There is always a wide variety of themes and beautiful baskets.
 
The annual GVBL fundraiser helps defer the leagues costs such as gym space, referee and scorekeeper expenses. GVBL does not feel the $10 "ask" is much considering how much the boys enjoy playing in the league.
 
Thanks for you anticipated support. 
 
To make your $10 donation:

Venmo Sandro Stefanelli @Sandro-Stefanelli
GVCO Paypal
Or a check payable to GVCO, 51 N. Bacton Hill Rd., Malvern, PA 19355

Please include your name and your son's team. Thank you to Sandro Stefanelli for coordinating Venmo donation.
GVBL March Madness - The Shootout
Tickets For the Annual GVBL March Madness Event On Sale Now!

You do not want to miss the most fun community event of the year. This event has occurred every year since 2003, and has been enjoyed but upwards of 300 GVBL-ers year in and year out. We have decided that this year's theme is going to be something that has been wildly popular in the past. The Shootout! This year we are bringing in 4 Pop-A-Shot arcade like competition baskets and have friends and neighbors shoot it out to an eventual winner. This GVBL event will be the evening of March 4th from 6:00pm to 11:00pm at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern. We will have a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres. Plenty of food for dinner. And an open bar throughout! The Pop-A-Shot Shootout will occur between 7:30pm and 9:45pm. There will be tons of team baskets raffled off as prizes. Some outstanding silent auction items. A 50-50 raffle. Our famous "A Year In Review" GVBL slide show. And lots of fun! All this for $80, or $150 per couple!
  • March Madness
  • Shootout Competition
  • Peek at the online auction
GVBL March Madness Themed, Team Baskets Have Been Assigned
 
To get the entire GVBL community involved, we have asked each team to put together a Themed, Team Basket that will be raffled off during the event at the Desmond the evening of March 4th. The expectation will once again be that each family contributes $10 or more by either purchasing a basket item or donating cash. The value of the basket will be roughly $100 or more. Not really a big ask from each family just asking them to donate $10 to a basket item (whatever the team's theme is)...or simply just donate 10$ and the event committee will purchase something for the basket.  Many of the teams have a "Team Mom/Dad" "coordinator/facilitator" or just ask the coach of your team how you want to get involved.
 
Collection of the items will take place February 13th to the 20th. A team volunteer can either drop off the items at the GVCO Community Ctr. construction site trailer, 51 N. Bacton Hill Rd , Malvern between 9am-4:00pm weekdays; or reach out to basketball@gvco.org and we will make arrangements to pick it up from you.

Sign Up and Have Some Fun the Night of the Event
You want to show your GVBL coach you know a little about basketball too? You have a neighbor that you want to make sure they know who the best shooter is in the neighborhood? You just want to have some fun? 
We have brought back the ever-popular Pop-A-Shot shootout competition to our March fundraising event. We have had a ton of fun with this at past events - a little friendly competition between our GVBL community parents the evening of the event. 

Participants will be placed in the 4 divs.: 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, 5th/6th and 7th/8th.
The winners of each division will face each other in the semi-finals.
The championship match will be the 2 semi-finalist winners with the winner's name engraved on the GVBL Shootout trophy to be immortalized forever!
  • Each division has 24 spots reserved for parents of players in that division plus 8 wildcard spots
  • The entry fee is $10 prior to the event and $20 at the event
  • Entrants will be placed randomly in a playoff bracket
  • During the 6-7PM cocktail hour, we will hold a "Pick Your Opponent" opportunity for $5. Once a pair has been picked, neither person can be re-picked
  • All bracketing is available in the GVBL app. It will be updated daily until the Shootout event
Sign up while supplies (bracket spots) last!
If a division has sold out online, ask if a "walk-in" slot is available at the event.
After the Shoot Out...why don't you stay out???

Thanks to the generosity of the Desmond Hotel, we have received 5 discounted rooms but you will need to act fast. Contact basketball@gvco.org for details on how to reserve your discounted room.
Purchase entry and shootout tickets

Purchasers of first 50 event tickets will receive a week of free personal training at Engage Personal Training, Malvern's #1 personal training studio for people over 40.
Do you have a vacation house or time share in a warm place, up in the mountains or by a lake or the bay? Concert or sporting event tickets?
 
Would you consider donating it/them to our GVBL March Madness "the Shootout" fundraiser auction at the Desmond on March 4th?
 
If you can help out, please reach out to Basketball@gvco.org
REC TEAM NEWS
High School News
And there you have it! A week after Nate Ricciardi flirted with the GVBL High School League record of 43 points in a game, Cole Callahan smashed it Monday night. Cole poured in 47 points to lead Heliconia - Pete's Auto Service to a 77-52 victory over Red - chris@InsureMeCC.com. Will Hauser quietly added 21 for the winners while Chase Ecker led Red with 16. Earlier in the evening, Amine Nachani and Chris Woodard each had 11 points as Purple outlasted Irish Green - Tropical Travelers 58-51 despite 27 points from Cameron Whiteman. Jack Clearfield (18) and Will Granto (12) paced Jade - Renehan Development in their 66-47 win over Dylan Tait (19) and Orange - Season's Pizza. Joe Chomko had 21 points and everyone got on the scoresheet for Royal - GV Pool Service as they edged Ash Grey - Overbrook Capital 48-43 and overcame 27 points from Andrew Pellicciotta. Two nights of regular season basketball left in the High School division before playoffs begin February 15th!
High School Internships
GVCO High School Internship Opportunities
Fall 2023 - Spring 2024

GVCO employs several high school - juniors or seniors - interns to assist with programming and administrative responsibilities. Internship will last throughout the ‘school year'. Hours would be after school, 3pm and 5pm Mondays through Fridays; 2 to 5 hours per week. GVCO will work with you to create flexible scheduling around academic responsibilities, sports seasons, theater and arts commitments, etc. Compensation will be $10.00 per hour.

Interested students must register and additional details will follow.

For questions, please contact Keith Walsh at Internships@gvco.org
Community Partnership
Adoption Fees Sponsored for Senior and Military Veteran Adopters

Here’s a chance to help older pets find homes with no adoption fee. In memory of a very generous donor named Lynda and her beloved first rescue dog, Simba, the “Sponsored by Simba” program focuses on helping older pets that might get overlooked find homes more quickly. This program is available to senior and military veteran adopters across all campuses and adoption events.

Seniors for Seniors: No fee for a person 65 years or older to adopt a senior dog or senior cat (age 8 years and up).
Pets for Vets: No fee for a military veteran to adopt an adult dog or adult cat (age 1 year or older).

Brandywine Valley SPCA: www.bvspca.org/adopt
Sponsor Spotlight
Kwality Ice Cream
Malvern
490 Lancaster Ave, Malvern, PA 19355
Mon-Thurs: 4:00 to 9:00
Fri-Sat-Sun: 11:00 to 9:00 
Tel: 814.855.3075
Visit us for a Wonderful Sweet Experience.
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We carry over 28 Flavors of Ice Cream and Cassatta and Kulfi Slices and Ice Cream cakes everyday.
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Order online or by telephone from our menu and it will be ready within 30 minutes.
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GIFT CARDS Available
GVCO Project Update
The new GVCO Community Center complex entrance is beginning to take form. Charlestown Paving and Great Valley Propane teamed up on a nice day yesterday, generously donating their time and energy, cleaning up the entrance and moving some of the site's topsoil. See more project updates.
GVBL Sponsors
Without our sponsor support, there would be a financial shortfall for equipment, administration and facilities rental. GVBL would like to thank all those who have stepped up to support GVBL. Please scroll to the bottom of this publication for a complete listing of those who have provided support. If you are familiar with who they are, please reach out to thank them. In addition, as always please try and support these local businesses throughout the year, shopping and doing business right here at home.
More Ways to Support GVCO
Do You Match?

Did you know your employer might have a Matching Gifts program?

It's a great way to contribute and help GVCO complete the entire new GVCO Community Center project.
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Shop at https://smile.amazon.com/ch/26-1139318 and Amazon donates to Great Valley Community Organization.​
Use code #47309 for GVCO!