The Natale Family

Happy To Be Home In Newtown Square

by Sheila Turner-Hilliard

Photos by Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com

This month, we are pleased to introduce you to The Natale Family: Jason, Jennifer, Avery, Regan and Chelsea. They’re a family that focuses on fun, family and giving back to their community.

Jason grew up in Flemington, NJ, with his parents and older brother. He attended Robert Hunter Elementary School, Reading-Fleming Middle School and graduated from Hunterdon Central Regional High School, where he played baseball and hockey recreationally. After graduation, Jason went to Springfield College, earning a degree in Sports Medicine. He then spent one year at Boston University before switching to Temple University because he found that Temple’s master’s degree in Education Kinesiology program met more of his needs.

Jason moved to Manayunk and began working for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings on their sports medicine staff. These days, Jason is a Regional Manager in sales for Stryker, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies offering innovative products and services.

After several years in sales, I enjoy coaching, mentoring and supporting my sales team,” said Jason. “My work is gratifying when I see them achieve their goals and know I have positively influenced their careers.

Jennifer also grew up in Flemington, NJ, with her parents and two younger brothers. She went to Robert Hunter Elementary School, Reading-Fleming Middle School and also graduated from Hunterdon Central Regional High School. Jennifer was very active in high school, participating in field hockey, soccer and softball. She was also a member of the school choir and served as Vice President of her graduating class.

Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in Public Affairs from American University in Washington D.C., then made her way across the country to UCLA in California, where she received her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Healthcare Management. While at UCLA, Jennifer decided that she wanted to come back east once she finished school. She applied for a position with Jefferson in Philadelphia and got the call to interview. That same day, Jennifer was offered a job in Healthcare Administration and planned her move to Philadelphia. Her career with Jefferson and consulting opportunities with other healthcare providers led Jennifer to start her own company in early 2019.

The time was right for me to go out on my own,” she said. “I have proven myself as an expert in my field and continue to work with my previous employers, but now I do so on my own terms and am free to take on more clients.

Jennifer and Jason Natale

One would think that Jennifer and Jason’s love story began back in their hometown, but their paths never crossed until after college. “We did go to the same schools, but there was enough of an age difference that we didn’t know each other,” Jennifer explained. “We finally met at my friend Melanie’s graduation party. Jason happened to be there because he was friends with Melanie’s older brother, Jim.”

Jennifer said that she and Jason hit it off that day, but he was living in Philadelphia, and Jennifer was about to move to California for grad school. Although the timing wasn’t right, the two kept in touch regularly. They eventually had their first date when Jennifer flew home for the holidays. A few months later, Jason visited Jennifer at UCLA, and soon after, Jennifer got the job offer at Jefferson.

I moved to my own apartment in Manayunk,” she said. “We continued to date until we decided to make things official.

Jason proposed to Jennifer, and the happy couple moved to Chestnut Hill, where they married in 2010. After honeymoon ing in Punta Cana, they purchased their first home in Havertown, where they lived for five years. “Jennifer and I knew that eventu ally, we wanted a larger home to raise our kids,” he said. “We hired an agent who encouraged us to look in Newtown Square.”

They found a home and moved to the Echo Valley neighborhood seven years ago.

The real estate agent we worked with told us that it was an excellent neighborhood,” Jennifer recalled. “He said that the houses sell fast, so we would have to act quickly, and we’re so glad we did.

Jason and Jennifer said that over the years, they have made wonderful friends who are there for each other and love to have fun hosting neighborhood socials.

Jason and Jennifer had two young girls when they moved to the neighborhood, so finding other families with young kids was very important to them. They said that within weeks, the girls had formed friendships that they know will last a lifetime.

The girls excited for Santa’s arrival (L to R): Regan, Avery and Chelsea Natale

Jennifer and Jason’s oldest daughter is Avery. She is a fifth-grade student at Culbertson Elementary School who enjoys playing softball for Newtown Square Petticoat League (NSPL) and the Rebels Travel Softball Team. Avery is also a member of the dis trict choir, plays the piano and takes gymnastics classes.

Avery is fun to be around, a natural-born leader and an aspiring entrepreneur,” said Jennifer. “We also like to call her Jenny Jr because she takes after me.

Avery’s younger sister, Regan, is a third-grade student at Culbertson Elementary.

Regan is fun-loving, a great friend and very caring,” Jason said. “She is always thinking about taking care of her family and friends.

Like Avery, Regan loves playing softball for NSPL, takes gymnastics lessons and plays piano, but she is also a red/ brown belt in karate and a member of the Girl Scouts.

Rounding out the bunch is four-year-old Chelsea, who attends Pre-K at Garretts Way in Newtown Square.

Chelsea’s our wild child,” laughed Jennifer. “We call her the Natale family mascot because everyone knows her!

Aside from tagging along to her big sisters’ softball games, Chelsea takes dance and gymnastics lessons and plays soccer.

The Natales have two dogs. Tigre is their 12-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who loves to cuddle and snuggle with the girls, and nineyear-old Piper, a mixed-breed rescue who wants nothing more than to play fetch all day long. So, what happens when you take two working professionals and add three active kids and two pups? A busy life that one would think doesn’t leave time for much else, right? Well, nothing could be further from the truth when talking about the Natales. Both Jennifer and Jason are committed to giving back to the com munity and setting good examples for their girls.

Jason and I watched our parents volunteer in our hometown,” Jennifer said. “They stressed the importance of helping others, either financially or with our time.

The Natale Family with their pups, Piper and Tigre

Jennifer serves as the Treasurer in the Echo Valley Community, is the Girl Scout Cookie Mom to two troops and was recently elected as Culbertson Elementary’s PTO President. Jason volun teers his time coaching his girls’ softball teams at NSPL and serves as a mentor for MedTechVets, a nonprofit organization serving Veterans during their career transitions. He supports Veterans by helping them find roles in the Medical Device Industry. And when they’re not working or volunteering, Jason and Jennifer love to hit the road with the family.

They spend time on the beach in Sea Isle with Jason’s parents and on the lake in Central PA at Jennifer’s family cabin. The Natales also like to explore fun spots in Florida and vacation time with friends on the Chesapeake in Maryland. More locally, their home away from home is White Manor Country Club, where Jason plays golf regularly and Jennifer likes to spend time at the pool with the girls in the summertime. But no matter how far they travel to explore and enjoy, Newtown Square is where they love to call home.

We feel so fortunate to live here,” Jennifer and Jason agreed. “We are committed to doing all we can to preserve our community. It’s a special place, and we want it to stay that way.

Thank you, Jason, Jennifer and the girls for sharing your inspiring story. On behalf of your Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.

Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.