Chester County Edition
April 2013
Vol. 10 No. 4
A Different Kind of Paycheck Retired Businessman Uses Skills to Benefit Area Nonprofit By Megan Joyce Robert Grossman wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of retiring. A successful business owner and consultant, Grossman said if his last employer hadn’t had a policy in place suggesting retirement at age 65, he would have happily kept working. And he has, in a sense. Several years later, Grossman is still using his business acumen, his people skills, and his fundraising savvy—but he’s transferred his talents to the nonprofit sector: to Aaron’s Acres. For the last 15 years, Aaron’s Acres has provided children ages 5 to 21 who have developmental disabilities with year-round social and recreational programs that teach appropriate communication and socialization skills. Perhaps more importantly, though, Aaron’s Acres’ summer camps and school-year programs give special-needs kids the chance to participate in some of the fun activities of childhood that they might otherwise miss out on. But, of course, these programs—so life-changing for the kids and their families alike—cost money. And that’s where Grossman, who moved to Central Pennsylvania from New York in the mid-’70s, comes in. “There’s a lot to growing an organization, and money always factors in. I guess that’s my major role,” he said. please see PAYCHECK page 15 Robert Grossman's fundraising expertise has helped Aaron's Acres to expand its programs, such as this school-year series for adolescents on Friday nights. Standing, from left, Briahna Sherid and Grossman. Seated, from left, Paul Emert and Lance Holsler.
Inside:
Pool Sharks from History page 2
He Jumped Into Normandy on D-Day page 4
LANC., PA 17604
PERMIT 280
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