2014 Recap

Looking back on 2014 events and toward those planned for 2015
We were thrilled to have welcomed Jane and Neil Golub as Honorary Chairs for the sold-out 25th Annual Dinner & Auction held last April at Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia.  Board Chairs of the previous 25 years were given special honors, and the evening was filled with the announcement of numerous agency successes and achievements, including outstanding growth. Thank you to our sponsors, Honorary Committee members, auction item donors, our auctioneer LeGrande Serras, and all attendees who so generously supported the mission of Girls Inc. to make the silver anniversary of this fundraiser our most successful – ever!
 
Save the Date:
 April 23, 2015  
26th Annual Dinner & Auction
Local experts in various professions were panelists who answered prepared questions about bullying, its many forms, and how to combat bullying behaviors at a breakfast hosted by Girls Inc. and Schenectady County Human Rights Commission February 20 at Schenectady County Community College (SCCC). Robyn King, LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) at SCCC and author of Eating Lunch in the Bathroom: My Story is the first-ever agency ambassador for Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region and helped to advance our inaugural agency focus, which for 2014 was anti-bullying. Robyn was emcee for the event. Panelists were Randy McGough, retired Director of Human Resources for NYS Office of Medicaid Inspector; Shai Butler, first Chief Diversity Officer at College of St. Rose; Tandra LaGrone, Executive Director of In Our Own Voices; Rowie Taylor, Executive Director of YWCA of Northeastern New York; Ebony Belmar, social worker for Schenectady City Schools.
The champagne and light fare Diamonds in the Rough event was held June 19 at Holiday Inn in Colonie and introduced several new supporters to the work of Girls Inc. In addition, Jennifer Campione went home the winner of a .90ct diamond cluster necklace generously donated by Frank Adams Jewelers. Thank you to our lead sponsor, M&T Bank, as well as CDPHP, Berkshire Bank, Homestead Funding, and the Wolf Road Holiday Inn. Next year’s  event, to be held in the Fall, will be exciting and different!
 
The 2nd annual mission-focused Strong, Smart, and Bold Breakfast, held November 6 also at Colonie Holiday Inn, announced the agency’s focus for 2015: reading and writing literacy. Troy author and event keynote speaker Coleen Paratore (right) was announced as the 2015 focus ambassador. Girls Inc. alumna Hemavattie Ramtahal was inspiring with her address of how Girls Inc.’s positive influences helped her overcome an especially challenging childhood. Our sincere thanks to our sponsors: M&T Bank, The Times Union, and CAP COM Federal Credit Union. The 2015 event will unveil our agency’s focus for the following year.
 
On Giving Tuesday, December 2, Girls Inc. “gave back” to our donors and corporate supporters. Our Celebration of Friends, held at the Albany site, joined guests with current Girls Inc. members for two hands-on activities: extracting DNA from strawberries, and forming personalized items from multiple colors of clay. After being baked to harden, the clay items were returned to each guest to take home.
 
The year 2014 has been one of successes and challenges. We are so grateful to our many, many friends and supporters for helping local girls fuel their fire so that they may one day change the world!