JCC Thurnauer School Honorees, Harry Martin, Shelly Wimpfheimer and Franci Steinberg. Photo by Chris Marksbury

(RIVER VALE, NJ) -- The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County toasted and honored leaders' contributions to the community at its annual spring gala, Connecting Neighbors, at  Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, New Jersey.  Five leaders in the community were honored, including the JCC Thurnauer School of Music in Tenafly, New Jersey.  Producer and director Harry Martin, an Emmy Award-winning TV journalist and an anchor of newscasts at three leading television stations in New York City, returned as emcee.

Honorees - This year, The Community Chest recognized the JCC Thurnauer School of Music with the Community Leadership Award.  The school was lauded for its work in the Englewood Public Schools introducing many low-income children to music and encouraging them to pursue music.  Inspired by the late artist and author Faith Ringgold’s children’s book, ‘We Came to America: Every Color, Race and Religion, From Every Country in the World’, the school was recognized for its commission of artist Rob Kapilow to create an innovative, collaborative music work about the history and experience of immigrating to the United States.  According to its creators, “the project integrates community outreach, explores and celebrates diversity and strives to promote inclusive and equitable educational opportunities through the transformative power of music.”  The gala’s program also featured an inspirational musical performance by the Young People’s Chorus at Thurnauer.

Other honorees recognized for their contributions and extensive involvement in the community included Emily and Roger Chang - Outstanding Volunteers Award, Max Mara - Corporate Philanthropy Award and Gia Shin - Outstanding Young Adult Leader Award.

(LEFT to RIGHT) Michael Reingold, Assistant Director of the JCC Thurnauer School of Music; Emma Brondolo, Artistic Director Young People’s Chorus and Director of the Early Childhood Music Program of the JCC Thurnauer School of Music; Dorothy Roffman, Founder and Director of the JCC Thurnauer School of Music, Recipient of the Community Leadership Award; Gia Shin, Recipient, Outstanding Young Leaders Award, former Junior Winner of The Community Chest’s Young Women’s Leadership Program and a student at Boston University; Jemma Son, Weekend Assistant Manager, Max Mara; Shavon Simmons, Weekend Store Director, Max Mara; Ashley Fylstra, Max Mara Store Director, Recipient of the Corporate Philanthropy Award; Evan Cummings, Northeast Operation Manager, Max Mara; Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, Executive Director Community Chest; Emily Yang, 2024 Recipient Outstanding Volunteer Award; Roger Chang, 2024 Recipient Outstanding Volunteer Award; and Harry Martin, Emcee, The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County’s 2024 Gala.  Photo by Chris Marksbury

Connecting Neighbors Theme - For over 91 years, The Community Chest has responded to community needs.  The gala’s theme, Connecting Neighbors, evolved from the organization’s work undertaken in 2024 on its ‘Connections Project’.  The project, inspired by a report released by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated more than 50% of the public experienced loneliness during the post-COVID year.  The Chest responded with a call to action of a public education and professional development campaign; co-sponsoring a health fair with new materials for professionals to use; assembling a library of resources and creating a corps of connectors to reach out people experiencing social isolation.

With the motto 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors', the organization leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make communities stronger and benefit people in eastern Bergen County, New Jersey.  The 91st anniversary gala's net proceeds will be used to fund grant awards to nonprofit organizations agencies responding to an increased demand for services for our neighbors in need in the areas of health and mental health services, food insecurity and healthy eating, home care, educational enhancement and college and career preparation.      

Sponsors - The gala’s 2024 sponsors helped to fill the chest.  This year, the sponsors were: The AbuRustum Family, BMW of Tenafly, Connect One Bank, Roger and Emily Chang, Jaguar Land Rover Englewood, Favor Senior Home Care, Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Dick and Shawn Kennedy, LKU Group Inc., Jeffrey and Rosemary Russell, Franci and Adam Steinberg, Ira and Shelley Taub, Visions Federal Credit Union, Nini Wong Realtor Coldwell Banker, and Shelly and Justin Wimpfheimer.  They were joined by these sponsors: The Kamson Corporation, Englewood Health, Lakeland Bank, Louise Schwartz, Valley Bank, Phil and Irma Ball, Merrill A Bank of America Company The Snyder Balducci Group, Temple Sinai Sisterhood in Tenafly, Barbara and Paul Brensilber, Friends of Roger and Emily Chang, Myra and Manny Genn, Helper Bear, KRS IT Consulting, Ellen and Ed Skowronski, and Barry and Melanie Zingler.

The Young People’s Chorus performed at The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County’s 2024 gala. Photo by Chris Marksbury

Donate - Patrons, who were unable to attend the gala, may still support The Community Chest’s programs and work with a donation.  Contributions of any size may be made by check to The Community Chest, located at 122 South Van Brunt Street, 2nd Floor, Englewood, New Jersey 07631.  Donations may be made online on the organization's web site.  Donations are tax-deductible, as permitted by law.

Founded in 1933, The Community Chest, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Englewood, New Jersey, has supported local not-for-profit agencies for 91 years.  The Chest leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make our communities stronger and benefit people in need in eastern Bergen County.  Each year, The Chest raises funds and allocates them to agencies demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local citizens.  The organization also provides coordinating and planning services in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network.

The Community Chest's Board of Managers is comprised of community leaders dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors in need.  People interested in being considered for board membership may contact Executive Director Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474.