9 Days of Giving [2023] | Bianca Beck Memorial Foundation

9 Days of Giving 2023

All 9 Board Members of the foundations wanted to spread Bianca’s holiday cheer to organizations they knew she would have loved to support. Each member chose a special cause to donate $1,000 to on behalf of The Bianca Beck Memorial Foundation, for a total of $9,000 in donations during the holiday season.

Board Member Al Beck chose to gift $1,000 to the CJR Memorial Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to increase the parent’s ability to spend time with their children as they seek treatment, or recover from an illness, while at the same time promote a healthier lifestyle for all children.

“Al said that Bianca always showed compassion and love for children. He said he knows she would support how this organization helps families be by their child’s bedside and not have to worry about the financial burden of missing work. Al reflected on the time of Bianca’s passing. He said having been at her bedside with his son Matt, Bianca’s husband, and the rest of her family waiting for the organ team to arrive, he witnessed first hand how important it was to be with loved ones during such a difficult time.”

Board Member Gena Taylor chose to gift $1,000 to Kelleigh’s Cause. Kelleigh’s Cause, Inc. is a Not-For-Profit Charity founded by Kelleigh Gustafson to raise awareness of the rare and life threatening disease Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs).

“Gena said that Bianca was not only her niece and goddaughter but they also had a friendship that she held close to her heart. She chose Kelleigh’s Cause because they raise awareness for AVM research education and community support. She said she is hopeful that a cure for this deadly condition will happen before another family has to suffer the tragedy of loss we have all experienced in Bianca’s untimely and tragic passing.”

Board Member Noelle Griffiths chose to gift $1,000 to the Catherine McAuley Center. The center’s initiatives include a Gifts For Kids Program, the Period Project, a food pantry, emergency to long-term housing support, and more! The array of services they provide has a lasting impact on those in our community.

“Noelle chose the Catherine McAuley Center because some of her fondest memories of Bianca were when she was helping those in need while they were in college. She recalls a time when Bianca order a hot tea at Dunkin Donuts and before she could take a sip, she handed it to someone who needed it more than she that day!”

Board Member Loriann Crotti chose to gift $1,000 to a local family in need of love and support. A challenging medical diagnosis of a young teenager has left the family with heavy hearts and a financial burden. This holiday season the family should be focused on celebrating small wins in this medical journey and spending quality time together. Loriann chose to donate directly to the family to help cover costs of travel and medical bills.

“Loriann said Bianca loved supporting people and watching them overcome challenges – big or small. She recalls Bianca once crying while she watched runners cross the finish line at the Philadelphia Marathon. She was just passing by but stopped to celebrate and cry with strangers!”

*Unfortunately the recipient of this donation lost his courageous battle to cancer in February 2024. Visit The Brain Tumor Network to make a donation towards the fight against pediatric brain cancer.

Our President and Bianca’s mother, Lisa Blake, chose to gift $1,000 to the Valley Community Library. She reflected on how much Bianca loved to read and shared some beautiful memories!

Bianca always loved to read and to be read to – as a baby I would read to her every night and continued until she started reading to me and anyone that would listen. She would love the illustrations as much as the stories. She would actually make up her stories just by looking at the artwork on the pages. As a teenager she worked with me at my daycare and would capture the children’s attention with her enthusiasm as she read. She even worked in the library while attending Temple University. One of the first things she did when she found out she was pregnant with Brooklyn was set up a library in her nursery where she continued to read to her every night.

Lisa presented the check to The Valley Community Library in Peckville, PA with the $1,000 donation. She said the monies will particularly be used in the children’s department to purchase books and props that will increase the children’s imagination and creativity, help to build their language skills, learn about the world and develop empathy and emotional awareness. Monies will also be used to bring in a special presenter for a children’s activity in the summer. There is no doubt Bianca would have embraced this opportunity to be among the children and share her love of books.

Board Member Mitch Blake chose to gift $1,000 to the The Pet Adoption League’s Pets on Parade. It is a non-profit organization that is completely run by volunteers, located in Hackettstown, New Jersey. This animal rescue is not a shelter but instead a no-kill rescue group. They provide care for all animals, take them out of dangerous situations, and even assist pet owners in finding new homes.

Ever since moving to NJ, Mitch thought it would be a great idea to donate to a group that Bianca would definitely be passionate about and being able to also spread Bianca’s memory a little farther means the world to her family and friends. This organization will do anything in its power to care for animals that need help most. Mitch said that is something Bianca would do in a heartbeat.

Board Member Dennis Beck chose to gift $1,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The organization’s mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

“Dennis said he chose Big Brothers Big Sisters because Bianca loved children and worked at her mother’s daycare. She was a wonderful role model and understood the importance of positive adults in the lives of children. Dennis said he regularly volunteered at the Philly chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters while he and Bianca were students at Temple University.”

Board Member Matt Beck chose to gift $1,000 to Ethan’s Hope . The organization’s mission is to bring people in addiction recovery together with shelter dogs to promote healing for both sides. Matt visited Ethan’s Hope and presented a check to Al and Amy Harding.

“Matt said that adopting animals in need was extremely important to Bianca. She always preached “adopt, don’t shop!” Her true passion was rescuing animals and Ethan’s Hope reminds him of Bianca; they give overlooked animals a second chance for love!”

Board Member Brianna Hummel chose to gift $1,000 to MusicWorks. They provide music therapy services to restore, improve and maintain the quality of life of all individuals throughout the Delaware Valley who are challenged by autism, special needs, illness or aging. They provide services to individuals ages 1 to 99 in their treatment centers, Community Living Arrangements, assisted living facilities, schools and summer camps.

Brianna and her son Greyson met with Lori and Jerry O’Leary(MA, MT-BC,LPC) the founders of MusicWorks, to hear about how MusicWorks came to be and some of the programs they offer. While visiting, they participated in one of the sessions instructed by music therapist, Riley Hohenstein, MT-BC. Riley graduated from Temple University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy and then went on to obtain her Board Certification. She is one of nine Music Therapists on MusicWorks staff.

After the session, Brianna presented Lori and Jerry with a $1,000 check from the foundation. After receiving the donation, Lori informed her that this money will provide financial assistance to TWO children in-need residing in counties where music therapy is not covered by Medical Assistance.

“Brianna said chose MusicWorks because some of the best times she shared with Bianca were singing and dancing to music. Bianca LOVED music, and she also loved being Greyson’s Godmother. This program takes a passion of hers that greatly benefits children ,like her godson, to learn, grow, and develop in so many ways. Bianca would have been so proud seeing Greyson participate in a program like MusicWorks and all of the success he’s made on his journey so far!”