Celebrate Hope Annual Luncheon 2023

Dear Friends,

Welcome to The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia’s Annual Luncheon! Thank you for your contribution to such a worthwhile cause.

As the Co-Chairs of this year’s Celebrate Hope Annual Luncheon, we would like to recognize and extend our sincere gratitude to all members of the Host Committee. This luncheon would not be possible without their time, effort, and dedication.

This year we are honoring four dynamic individuals who have dedicated countless hours of service to the Greater Philadelphia community. Stephen Fera, Executive Vice President and Head of Public Affairs for Independence Blue Cross, will receive the “Others” Award for exemplifying an extraordinary spirit of service to others and exceptional service to The Salvation Army and the Philadelphia community. Emmy award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph & Senator Vincent Hughes will receive the Doing the Most Good Award for their outstanding community service in helping others be all they can be. Finally, Romona Riscoe Benson, Director of Corporate and Community Impact at PECO, will receive the Eliza Shirley Women in Leadership Award for exemplifying Salvation Army pioneer Eliza Shirley’s dedication to service, community, and faith.

Please take a moment to congratulate the Honorees and the Host Committee Members and thank them for their commitment and continued support of The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia. Their advocacy and your generosity make “Doing the Most Good” more than just a mission statement; it is a way of life.

Sincerely,

Amy Fitzsimmons & Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake 2023 Host Committee Co-Chairs

Mistress of Ceremonies Alicia

Vitarelli

Alicia Vitarelli is the co-anchor of Action News at 4 p.m. Alicia joined the Action News team in October 2010. Just a few of the highlights of her vast and varied work here include traveling to cover the Royal Wedding, the beatification of Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, the Oscars, the CMA Awards and Dancing with the Stars. She has also interviewed many Hollywood A-listers for her daily segment on Action News at 4 called “The Buzz.” She admits to being a little star struck while interviewing Tom Hanks.

Alicia is also the co-host of 6abc’s weekly entertainment program, FYI Philly. Alicia has been thrilled to work so closely with the Action News Big Board, incorporating social media into the newscast in a very special and unique way. Through Twitter and Facebook, she has made viewers part of the conversation, and part of the storytelling.

Alicia came to Philadelphia from News 12 New Jersey, where she was the morning and afternoon anchor for two and a half years. She also created, hosted and produced two original franchises including a bargain-hunting series and the Emmy-nominated "Best Kept Secrets of New Jersey”. Prior to that, Alicia worked for NY1 News and Time Warner Cable in New York City for six years as an anchor and reporter.

Alicia received Bachelor’s Degrees in Communications and Honors, with a minor in Spanish, from Villanova University. She also obtained a Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Alicia has been the Grand Marshal of the Italian American Festival in North Wildwood, NJ, as well as the Italian American Woman of the Year for the Center for Italian and Italian American Culture, the Italian American Police Society of NJ and the East Hanover Italian American Club.

In her spare time, Alicia enjoys international travel, cooking, exploring new finds around town, dining outdoors, spending time with family (especially her five nieces!) and ballet barre classes. Alicia is thrilled to be home in the Philadelphia area to cheer on her Wildcats! Alicia and her husband, Matthew, are the proud parents of a little girl.

Mistress of Ceremonies

EMCEE INTRODUCTION

Alicia Vitarelli

INVOCATION

Lt. Olguens Fils-Aime, Philadelphia Central Corps Officer

WELCOME

Amy Fitzsimmons and Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, Celebrate Hope Annual Luncheon Committee Co-Chairs

MAYORAL PROCLAMATION

Sheila Hess, City Representative, City of Philadelphia

STATE OF HOPE

Major Tawny Cowen-Zanders, Divisional Secretary for Greater Philadelphia

LUNCHTIME APPEAL

Judy Lynch, Advisory Board Chair

LUNCH

ELIZA SHIRLEY WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AWARD

Romona Riscoe Benson, PECO

DOING THE MOST GOOD AWARD

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Actress & Senator Vincent Hughes, 7 th Senatorial District of Pennsylvania

“OTHERS” AWARD

Stephen Fera, Independence Blue Cross

BENEDICTION

Lt. Christopher Brown, Philadelphia Temple Corps Officer

The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia

Celebrate Hope Host Committee

Co-Chairs

AMY FITZSIMMONS

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

REV. DR. LORINA MARSHALL-BLAKE

Independence Blue Cross Foundation

Committee Members

DR. KEEYA BRANSON-DAVIS

PECO

REV. BONNIE CAMARDA

The Salvation Army

JONATHAN CHOWANSKY UPS

AARON COHEN

Arena Strategies

MAJOR TAWNY

COWEN-ZANDERS

The Salvation Army

LISA DETWILER

FS Investments

MICHELLE FLOWERS JLL

HANIYYAH SHARPE-BROWN

Accenture

ROBIN SHINE MADDOX

Celebrating Sisterhood

CHARLENE SHULER

Covenant House Inc.

LILTON TALIAFERRO

Independence Blue Cross

TIFFANY TAVAREZ

Wells Fargo

JUDITH TORRES LYNCH

GSK (ret.)

“Others” Award Stephen Fera

INDEPENDENCE BLUE CROSS

Stephen Fera, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Markets for Independence Blue Cross, will receive the "Others" Award for exemplifying an extraordinary spirit of service to others and exceptional service to The Salvation Army and/or community.

Fera is a lifelong Philadelphian currently serving on the boards of the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, PHMC, Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education, and the Public Affairs Council. During his more than 33-year career at Independence, Fera has worked to expand access to care and improve the lives of millions of Americans. He spearheads government relations, community affairs and government markets for the largest health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania and one of the largest Blue Plans in country. He has worked to forge public-private partnerships to improve access to care and to reduce disparities and influence public policy decisions.

Doing the Most Good Award Sheryl Lee Ralph, ACTRESS & SenatorVincent Hughes

7 TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Sheryl Lee Ralph and Sen. Hughes will receive the Doing the Most Good Award at the ceremony for their outstanding community service in helping others be all they can be.

Ralph made theater history as the first African American female to play the role of Madame Morrible in the Broadway musical, Wicked. Most recently, she was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Abbott Elementary. Ralph is also the founding director of the DIVA Foundation, which produces an annual benefit concert, Divas Simply Singing, to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. This evening of song and entertainment is the longest consecutive running musical AIDS benefit in the country. Her love for spreading health awareness education touches the lives of many, year in and year out.

Sen. Hughes, Ralph’s husband, was born and raised in Philadelphia. He represents the 7 th Senatorial District in Pennsylvania and serves as the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, a position he has held since 2011. He has served in the Senate since November 1994. Senator Hughes has a career long commitment to providing health insurance for the uninsured and his leadership, public advocacy, and legislative strategy led to Pennsylvania’s full implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Alongside his wife, Senator Hughes has been recognized locally and nationally for his work on HIV/AIDS issues and the challenges of behavioral health in the African American community. A believer in breaking down the financial barriers for underserved students in higher education, he has raised over $1 million in scholarship funds for students to attend college. He is a leader in the fight for paid sick leave and in the creation of housing for veterans and survivors of domestic violence.

Eliza Shirley Women in Leadership Award

Romona Riscoe Benson, Director of Corporate and Community Impact at PECO, will receive the Eliza Shirley Women in Leadership Award for exemplifying Salvation Army pioneer Eliza Shirley’s dedication to service, community, and faith.

Riscoe Benson develops, leads, and executes strategic corporate and community giving programs, as well as reputational positioning initiatives. Prior to her position at PECO, she served as president and CEO of the African American Museum in Philadelphia and executive director of the PCVB’s Philadelphia Multicultural Aairs Congress. She produced the city-wide PECO Energy Jazz Festival and the first city career-fair focused on careers in hospitality for urban school students in the area. Riscoe Benson’s passion is shown through 25 years of experience in non-profit, hospitality, meetings and conference management, arts management, and public sector work.

Give now and do the most good in your neighborhood! Your generous gift helps restore the lives of hurting people throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, including at-risk children, struggling families, vulnerable adults, neighbors impacted by COVID-19, and more. Donate

The Army Behind the Army

The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia works with some of the most disadvantaged people in our communities, including the homeless, the elderly, the unemployed, those suffering from drug & alcohol addiction, and victims of human trafficking. But this would not be possible without our network of volunteers, ‘the army behind the Army’, almost 3.3 million strong nationwide. Whatever your individual skill level or area of interest, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved: from serving meals to people who would otherwise go without, running activities and classes in one of our many Corps Community Centers, or even providing practical and technical support to aid unemployed individuals to get back into the workforce. Your skills are in much demand, but the rewards of serving others are far greater—whether it’s seasonal, once a week, or anything in between, you would be joining a network of millions from across the world committed to “Doing the Most Good” in partnership with The Salvation Army.

If you enjoy spending time with people and have some skills you’d like to share, click the button below for more info!

ThankYou to our Generous Sponsors!

ThankYou to our Generous Sponsors!

To our Honorees, Sponsors and Attendees:

On behalf of the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia, thank you for making our mission your priority. We know how challenging the past few years have been for everyone, but we have weathered the storm with your support and emerged even stronger on the other side. Our organization and the clients we serve would not be where we are today without the people in this room.

Despite fewer pandemic restrictions, 2023 has already proven to be a challenging year for The Salvation Army and our great city of Philadelphia. Gun violence has torn apart families and communities, while inflation has turned a carton of eggs into a luxury item. Toss in an upcoming Mayoral Election and it’s no wonder the citizens of Philadelphia approach the future with a sense of trepidation.

It gives me great relief, however, to know that whatever the future holds, The Salvation Army will be there. I have had the privilege of serving elbow-toelbow with Officers and staff on the front lines, distributing food boxes and Christmas toys to families who are down on their luck. I know they will never stop serving, even in the face of overwhelming circumstances. Your presence at this event affords us the opportunity to be prepared for the next set of challenges that await. Philadelphia has always been praised for exhibiting resilience and toughness in the face of adversity. It has been my honor to help The Salvation Army do the same.

Thank you,

Judy Torres Lynch Advisory Chair, The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia

The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia

Advisory Board

Chair

JUDITH TORRES LYNCH

GSK (ret.)

MEMBERS

WILLIAM T. BERGMAN

Temple University (ret.)

SCOTT BOROWSKY

Kane Communications, Inc.

CLERENCE CHRISTIAN

Nexstar Media

JONATHAN CHOWANSKY

UPS

AARON COHEN

Arena Strategies

JEFFREY DUNNE

PwC (ret.)

DAVID HACKETT

Cozen O’Connor

AMY FITZSIMMONS

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

MICHELLE FLOWERS

JLL

J. BARTON RILEY

Barton Investment Management

STEPHEN A. SHELLER

Sheller, P.C.

MARK SOLOMON

CMS Companies

JENNIFER STANT-CLARKE

Vanguard

MEMBERS Emeritus

FRANK D. ALEARDI

FDA Corporation

JANET AVERILL

LOUIS E. DELLA PENNA

C. SCOTT HARTZ

The Hartz Group

JERRY LEE

MoreFM

KYRA MCGRATH

WHYY, Inc.

A. MORRIS WILLIAMS

The Salvation Army Leadership

LT. COLONELS JANET & LARRY ASHCRAFT, Divisional Leaders

The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware

MAJOR TAWNY COWEN-ZANDERS, Divisional Secretary

The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia

Stephen P. Fera

Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Markets, Independence Blue Cross

Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Markets, Independence Blue Cross

WE SALUTE

WE SALUTE

WE SALUTE

WE SALUTE

Steve Fera, Senator Vincent Hughes, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Romona Riscoe Benson

Steve Fera, Senator Vincent Hughes, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Romona Riscoe Benson

Steve Fera, Senator Vincent Hughes, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Romona Riscoe Benson

Steve Fera, Senator Vincent Hughes, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Romona Riscoe Benson

Independence Blue Cross is proud to support The Salvation Army’s 2023 Celebrate Hope Luncheon and congratulates our own Steve Fera, recipient of the “Others Award” in recognition of his extraordinary spirit of service to others.

Independence Blue Cross is proud to support The Salvation Army’s 2023 Celebrate Hope Luncheon and congratulates our own Steve Fera, recipient of the “Others Award” in recognition of his extraordinary spirit of service to others.

Independence Blue Cross is proud to support The Salvation Army’s 2023 Celebrate Hope Luncheon and congratulates our own Steve Fera, recipient of the “Others Award” in recognition of his extraordinary spirit of service to others.

We also celebrate the other distinguished honorees – Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Romona Riscoe Benson, director of Corporate and Community Impact at PECO – for their extraordinary leadership and tireless dedication to serving those in need in our community.

Independence Blue Cross is proud to support The Salvation and congratulates our own Steve Fera of his extraordinary spirit of service to others. We also celebrate the other distinguished honorees – Pennsylvania Benson, director of Corporate and Community Impact at PECO – for their extraordinary leadership and tireless dedication to serving those in need in our community.

We also celebrate the other distinguished honorees – Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Romona Riscoe Benson, director of Corporate and Community Impact at PECO – for their extraordinary leadership and tireless dedication to serving those in need in our community.

We also celebrate the other distinguished honorees – Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Romona Riscoe Benson, director of Corporate and Community Impact at PECO – for their extraordinary leadership and tireless dedication to serving those in need in our community.

Independence remains steadfast in its support of individuals and community organizations dedicated to improving the lives and health of the people in our region.

Independence remains steadfast in its support of individuals and community organizations dedicated to improving the lives and health of the people in our region.

Independence remains steadfast in its support of individuals and community organizations dedicated to improving the lives and health of the people in our region.

Independence remains steadfast in its support of individuals and community organizations dedicated to improving the lives and health of the people in our region.

Stephen P. Fera

Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Markets, Independence Blue Cross

Stephen P. Fera

Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Markets, Independence Blue Cross

For you, it’s fixed payments for a lifetime. For them, it’s a lifeline...

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Contact your local Director of Gift Planning today!

Jessica Brookstein, MBA CAP®

(215)825-4656 | Jessica.Brookstein@use.salvationarmy.org

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The Emergency Disaster Services program is always looking for those who are looking to give back. You can volunteer by going to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and clicking on the ‘Volunteer’ tab to sign up today.

The Spirit of Service

We congratulate all the honorees, with a special nod to Stephen Fera, Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Independence Blue Cross, and Sen. Vincent Hughes, representative for the 7th Senatorial District, for using their roles to advocate for and support those in need.

©2023 The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

JEFFERSONHEALTH.ORG

I am hope. I am compassion. I am strength. I am faith. I am doing the most good. I serve a community. A region. A nation. A world. I serve heroes. I serve victims. I serve a sovereign God.

I am doing the most good. I am an Army. Drafted by the Creator. Commissioned by a man who defied death. My enemies are despair and destruction. My ammunition is grace and mercy. My allies are generosity and benevolence.

I am an Army. Helping others be all they can be.

I am doing the most good.

I feed empty stomachs and hungry souls. I rebuild ruined homes and shattered lives.

I am a willing listener for a veteran with stories to tell.

I am a bottled water and an encouraging smile for a weary firefighter. I am an answered prayer. A silver lining. A second chance.

I am doing the most good.

I am a humble steward of other people’s generosity.

I am a grateful courier of a stranger’s kindness. I am the faithful executor of others’ goodwill. I take my responsibility seriously. I am blessed. I am a blessing.

I am The Salvation Army. I am doing the most good.

Dear Partners in Ministry,

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I welcome you to Celebrate Hope with us again this year. Your presence here today is a testament to your unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in our community.

As we gather together, I am reminded of the words of Commander Evangeline Booth, who once said, "There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good to the most people in the most need." Your support of The Salvation Army enables us to serve as your hands to our neighbors in Philadelphia who are experiencing the most need.

Whether it is through your generous donations, your selfless volunteerism, or your steadfast prayers, you are helping us to serve those who are most in need. Because of you, we are able to provide food, shelter, counseling, and other vital services to individuals and families who are struggling.

I am humbled by the impact that we have been able to make together, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share in this important work with you. Your support and partnership are invaluable to me, and we could not do what we do without you.

Thank you for joining us today, and I hope you enjoy the program we have put together. Join me in congratulating our deserving honorees, and thanking those who make our work possible!

Sincerely,

Major Tawny Cowen-Zanders Divisional Secretary for Greater Philadelphia The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware

Our Mission

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.