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PARENTS BUILD COMMUNITY
Parent giving to the Annual Fund supports a critical piece of the school’s operating budget each year, touching every aspect of the student experience—from faculty professional development to supplies for the classroom and so much more.
“The collective support of our families ensures the continued excellence of a Penn Charter education and demonstrates our commitment to our school, our faculty and our children,” said Director of Parent Engagement Lauren Stabert, also a PC parent.
In recent years, the level of participation by current parents has grown significantly, which would not have been possible without the partnership of parent volunteers. Parents who give of their time and talents—building community through their collective efforts—are a growing and increasingly important part of Penn Charter’s development success.
Hezekiah Lewis
Giving Back Through Skilled Volunteering
Hezekiah and his wife, Leashia, P ’34, served on the inaugural Family Circle Committee, which focuses on building a robust culture of philanthropy among PC parents. As part of his service on the committee, Lewis volunteered his professional expertise in video production, producing a thank-you video for leadership donors as well as three senior time capsule videos for the Class of 2023. In this series of “time capsules,” seniors reflected on relationships, experiences and achievements that underscored their Penn Charter journey.
“I wanted to give to create a sustainable impact,” Lewis said.
“I wanted to show up physically and lend my expertise in my professional field as a videographer. I wanted to create a platform to amplify students’ voices, tell their stories and empower them to learn a new skill. That’s why I gave my time and energy through skilled volunteering; I addressed a school’s need by sharing my talents with the community.”
Lewis was also excited to offer seniors the opportunity to learn video production as part of their Senior Comprehensive Project.
“I think many times we don’t show our gratitude enough,” he said. “We might say it, but how do we show it? How do we engage in it actively? To me, it’s all about actions speaking louder than words. And that’s so important because those actions can ripple into a community and strengthen it.”
Jyoti Sharma and Nithin Adappa
Fostering a Culture of Philanthropy
Jyoti Sharma and Nithin Adappa P ’30, ’33, William Penn Society leadership donors for several years, recognized that they wanted to do more than give financially. They wanted to build community among like-minded families to build collective support for the school.
“I think people are more inclined and more comfortable giving to the school when they feel part of the community,” Sharma said, “and when they understand what their contribution is going towards.”
Lauren Stabert and Sharma brainstormed ways to accomplish that, and Sharma volunteered to organize an event with her husband, Nithin Adappa, to thank other parents for their support and to celebrate PC’s community of donors. In the past, the couple had experienced the success of informal fundraising events that highlight ways that gifts make a difference.
“My hope, too, was to emphasize to the group that giving in whatever way a family feels comfortable does have an impact,” Sharma said. “To me, what is meaningful for the school and the students is coming together, giving as a community, and emphasizing that your donation, no matter its size, does impact the school.”
“Jyoti and Nithin generously hosted more than 40 people in their home for coffee and breakfast,” Stabert said. “It was an opportunity for families to meet other parent leadership donors and hear remarks about their impact.” Ranging from brand-new PC parents to those who had been at PC for years, “the one thing they all had in common was that they had made their first leadership gift of $1,689 or more within the past 18 months.” continued on next page
“You don’t often talk about giving with other families,” Adappa said. “It’s not something you discuss with others. The event served as a platform for us to have discussions with other families that we know in our social circles about how we, as a group, can essentially help the community together.
“As we got more vested in the community this past year, we made a tangible difference within the student and faculty body. And so that’s been something that’s really been felt by us and that we want to continue doing as our kids grow up in the school.”
“We’ve always felt that giving to the school in whatever capacity will only create a stronger school for all of our kids,” Sharma said.
Heather Baum P’23, ’27
Finding Connection Through the Senior Parent Gift
Last September, Heather Baum, parent of Dabney OPC ’23 and ninth grader Margaux, was inspired to volunteer on the Senior Parent Gift Committee—a way to savor her oldest daughter’s final year at PC. She wanted to spend more time with families with whom she’d felt deeply connected for more than a decade.
“I wanted to do more than serve as the class chair” during Dabney’s senior year, Baum said. When Lauren Stabert reached out about serving on the Senior Parent Gift Committee to raise money for faculty professional development, she identified the team of parents who were already on board.
“I felt, wow, I would love to work with them and have the time together before our children head off to college,” Baum said. “However, I clarified that I felt uncomfortable directly asking people to give.” Instead, she would be happy to offer ideas, provide feedback, make connections and be a sounding board.
Baum said it was important for her not only to donate but to volunteer her time and support the effort because she believes in the impact. “As an educator and faculty member at Villanova University, I understand and appreciate the importance of donating to faculty professional development,” she said.
The goal of the Senior Parent Gift Committee was to reach 100 percent participation, demonstrating, Baum said, “how we value, give back and support the community that has enriched our children’s lives. We have been so happy at PC, and I felt motivated to express this to families. It was fun because everyone felt the same way about PC; it was simply up to the committee to inform them of the impact.”
And so, in the end, Baum wound up offering to contact parents directly to ask them to make a gift—and found that she enjoyed it.
“What I found meaningful were the connections I got to make,” she explained. “We have known some of these families for 12 years! Being on the committee allowed me to catch up with people I hadn’t spoken to in awhile. It was fun to reconnect and experience milestone events together. I realized that I would miss these parents, so it was nice to have one last hurrah with them.”
—April Torrisi
Want to Get Involved? Here's How!
• Serve on parent fundraising committees like the Family Circle or the Senior Parent Gift Committee.
• Serve as an ambassador for parent giving. No prior experience required. Receive training to empower you to support development efforts on your own time and as part of special days like Great Day to Be a Quaker.
• Lend professional expertise. Do you have skills in fundraising, event planning, photography, videography or another way you’d like to volunteer?
• Attend or help out at events such as Color Day and Great Day. Contact Laurent Stabert, director of parent engagement, at lstabert@penncharter.com or 215-844-3460 ext. 276.
