Driven by Purpose: myHR Partner's Charitable Commitments

The organization I decided to donate to is Camp Spifida. Camp Spifida is a camp for children with Spina Bifida. The mission of the camp is to provide a typical camping experience for children, allowing for health and physical limitations, with emphasis on self-image, independence, and self-assurance in all campers. I worked as a counselor for many years and it holds a special place in my heart.

Griffin Pond is an animal shelter that’s very near and dear to my heart. My family dog growing up was adopted from Griffin Pond in 2004 and it was there that I adopted my pit bull, Stashu, in 2018. The shelter cares for over 200 animals on a daily basis and provides for animals that are sick, elderly, or injured that are in their custody due to various reasons such as owner surrender and cruelty case investigations.

Because the shelter does not receive any federal, state or county funding, it relies on fundraising events and the generosity of caring people. With the community’s support, these animals are given a second chance.

I chose to give to the Tamaqua Blue Raider Foundation. This Education Foundation is a nonprofit that was set up by community members and business owners in town to assist our local school district with funding projects that the district otherwise would not have the ability to fund. The funds raised by the Foundation are given back to the district to assist in funding specific projects/opportunities that give students more educational opportunities to excel in the classroom. Examples of the types of things that are funding are PSU educational summer camp series, fieldtrips, and funding Advanced Placement tests for our high school students. This cause is close to my heart because not only is it the district that I myself was raised in, but it is giving children opportunities inside and outside the classroom that they would not have access to otherwise.

I was beyond grateful to give my Gift of Giving to Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley. The Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley provides sports and social activities for hundreds of local children and young adults with special needs. Founded on the principles of inclusion, building self-esteem and that everyone deserves a chance to play baseball, they continue to uphold those values today. We became a Miracle League Family in 2022 and our son Gannon has had an amazing experience learning to play baseball in an environment that allows him the experience to be part of team that accepts him just the way that he is. In addition to Spring and Fall baseball, we have also been able to be a part of the Summer Carnival, Trunk or Treat, Holiday Party and tons of weekly activities like game night and movie night. I cannot say enough great things about the whole team at Miracle League and the impact they have had on our family.