Happy National Volunteer Week! From April 15 to April 21, we are honoring our volunteers and all that they make possible. Today, we celebrate those who donate their leadership – our event chairs and committees!
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Lisi Lerch has been a passionate volunteer for JDRF for over 20 years – and this is her year! Lisi will chair the JDRF One Promise Gala in Philadelphia this Saturday, April 21, at The Loews Philadelphia with a goal of $1.5 million. Lisi’s passion for her family, her business Lisi Lerch, Inc., and JDRF shine as she works with a dedicated committee of JDRF volunteers who strive to make this upcoming Gala a huge success – and a “Celebration of Hope”!
Why did you choose to volunteer as the Chair for the 2018 JDRF One Promise Gala?
I chose to be the Gala chair this year because I finally felt in my heart that it was “my year.” I had been asked many (many! haha!) times to chair but it never seemed to be the right time in my life. I knew I had to wait to be able to give it my whole heart and soul.
What is your favorite part of being a part of the Gala Committee?
My favorite part of being Gala chair is feeling ownership to bringing us closer to finding a cure. I also LOVE working with my JDRF family!
Too much of our lives are spent worrying and stressing and dealing with stupid diabetes, and we need an excuse to celebrate while we raise funds to find a cure.
Why did you choose the Gala theme “Celebration of Hope”?
I chose “Celebration of Hope” because I knew that the year I chaired the Gala, we needed to have a big, fun party! Too much of our lives are spent worrying and stressing and dealing with stupid diabetes, and we need an excuse to celebrate while we raise funds to find a cure. We owe it to ourselves to let our hair down and party! Plus “Celebration” is my fave song! 🙂
What is your connection to JDRF?
My connection to JDRF goes back to the mid-90s in New York when I first met my husband, who is a type 1 diabetic. I thought the way that he had to live was horrible and shouldn’t be that way. I was determined to help find a cure, so we joined the JDF New York City chapter (before it was JDRF!) as volunteers. Then on July 19, 2005, the oldest of our three children, Libby, was diagnosed at the ripe age of 25 months. My determination to find a cure doubled. And here we are.
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By serving on a JDRF committee – whether it’s auction procurement, sponsorship, logistics or planning – you’ll partner with JDRF employees to facilitate events that raise millions for T1D research. You can sign up to volunteer here or learn more about donating your leadership to Eastern PA chapter events at 610-664-9255 or philadelphia@jdrf.org.
