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Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Driving Economic Transformation

Bass Recognized by United Way for Wreaths Campaign

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Bass Recognized by United Way for Wreaths Campaign

Bass Recognized by United Way for Wreaths Campaign

If you have ever visited IALR between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you may be familiar with the festive holiday program hosted annually. First launched as Decorating the Trees for a Cause and last year revamped to Decorating the Wreaths for a Cause, this event invites businesses to submit decorated wreaths to raise funds, in the form of votes, for a select charity. The event is a major undertaking and has been spearheaded for 12 years by Ellen Bass, IALR’s Sales and Marketing Manager, who was recently recognized by United Way for her efforts.

Heather Satterfield, Past Chair of United Way, recognizes IALR’s Ellen Bass with the Exceptional Event Award for her leadership
of the 2021 Decorating the Wreaths for a Cause program.

“Ellen gives one hundred percent in all that she does to offer exceptional conference services to our guests, businesses and community,” said Leslie Dobbins, Director of the Institute Conference Center and Facilities. “Her leadership in Decorating the Wreaths is always admirable and worthy of commendation. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team.”

During last month’s annual meeting of United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County, Bass received the Exceptional Event Award for her leadership of the 2021 Decorating the Wreaths for a Cause program. Since the holiday program’s inception in 2010, it has raised more than $135,000 for local charities. In 2021 alone, the new wreaths focus raised more than $16,000. The wreath that collected the most money also received a bonus of $500 at the open house event; it was donated by Goodyear Tire and Rubber to support United Way.

“I am honored to have been recognized in such a special way by United Way, who does a fabulous job of supporting our nonprofit organizations and community on a day-to-day basis,” said Bass. “To lead such an impactful program is very rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to help IALR meet the needs of our community in meaningful ways.”

IALR’s New “Wreaths for a Cause” Program Raises over $16,000 for Local Charities

IALR’s New “Wreaths for a Cause” Program Raises over $16,000 for Local Charities

65 holiday wreaths were auctioned at open house event to support over 50 nonprofits

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) raised more than $16,000 for local charities through a new “Wreaths for a Cause” holiday program. More than 100 guests attended the Dec. 14 open house to celebrate the holidays, enjoy door prizes and participate in a live and silent auction of wreaths – all to benefit area nonprofit organizations.

Similar to IALR’s former “Decorating the Trees for a Cause” program, this year area businesses and organizations created and displayed 65 wreaths in IALR’s atrium in honor of their selected charities to raise funds in the form of votes, or donations. The public visited IALR’s atrium Nov. 29-Dec. 14 to vote for wreaths with a donation. Each of the more than 50 charities represented retained those funds, and the wreath that collected the most money (donated by Goodyear Tire and Rubber to support United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County) received a bonus of $500 at the open house. Two random drawings of all wreaths awarded additional $500 bonus awards to participating charities Danville Pittsylvania County Cancer Association, supported by Computer Bookkeeping & Tax Service, and Caswell Pet Lifeline Rescue, supported by Linden Rose Boutique. All wreaths were then auctioned off, raising more funds for the supported charities.

“Not only was the open house event a festive and fun holiday gathering, but it was truly rewarding to see the generosity of the guests in attendance as they gave toward the many worthwhile causes represented,” said Ellen Bass of IALR. “It was the first year we introduced decorated wreaths as a fresh take on our previous holiday tree program, and it was fulfilling to see it so well received. We thank all of the businesses, organizations and open house attendees who gave their time and resources to help the nonprofits in our communities.”

At the open house, Austin Scher of the Danville Otterbots (and chair of the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County campaign) served as master of ceremonies, and Rita Smith of River City Auction served as wreath auctioneer. All guests had an opportunity to win door prizes donated from local businesses. The nearly $1,300 in proceeds from the event ticket sales went to the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County.

“Wreaths for a Cause” sponsors included URW Community Federal Credit Union, an anonymous donor, Commonwealth Home Health Care, Piedmont Infusion Services and Links Coffee House Café. Since IALR began a holiday fundraising program for nonprofits in 2010, more than $135,000 has been raised for charitable causes.

PHOTOS: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXfPACN

IALR’s Virtual Holiday Tree Program Names Winner

IALR’s Virtual Holiday Tree Program Names Winner

Online votes result in $2,000 donation check to charity

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to announce that God’s Pit Crew is the winner of the 11th annual Decorating the Trees for a Cause program, which was held virtually this year. God’s Pit Crew’s tree received 632 “likes” or votes on IALR’s Facebook voting competition. Thanks to the sponsorship of an anonymous donor and Sodexo, the organization will be presented a $2,000 donation check.

Businesses and organizations were invited to submit one photo of a decorated tree along with a charity of choice. All photos were posted online for a virtual viewing and voting experience, benefiting the charity of the tree with the most votes. Thirty-seven trees were submitted, and a total of 5,413 “likes” were collected. All trees can be viewed at http://bit.ly/IALRtrees2020.

“We have such a spirited community that really rallied behind our modified Decorating the Trees for a Cause event,” said Ellen Bass, Sales & Marketing Manager for IALR. “I want to thank all those businesses and organizations who took the time to submit a photo of their decorated tree. IALR was honored to keep the tradition alive in a new, virtual format to continue to engage the community, celebrate the holidays and support our local charities.”

Last year’s Decorating the Trees for a Cause program featured 44 trees. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s tree received the most votes, benefiting the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County. Foster Insurance’s tree received the second most votes, benefiting God’s Pit Crew. Since the program’s beginning in 2010, more than $119,000 has been raised for charitable causes.

Photos from IALR’s Decorating the Trees for a Cause Goes Virtual program can be viewed at http://bit.ly/IALRtrees2020. God’s Pit Crew won the most votes with 632 Facebook “likes” and will receive a $2,000 donation check sponsored by an anonymous donor and Sodexo.

IALR’s Holiday Tree Program Goes Virtual

IALR’s Holiday Tree Program Goes Virtual

Event seeks tree photos for online voting competition to benefit charity

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) will hold its 11th annual Decorating the Trees for a Cause program as a virtual event this year. Businesses and organizations are invited to submit one photo of a decorated tree along with a charity of choice. All photos will be posted online for a virtual viewing and voting experience, and the charity of the tree with the most votes will receive a $2,000 donation check.

“Although this has been a year of challenges, we are excited to continue this popular event in a new way that effectively engages the community while helping a local charity,” said Ellen Bass, Sales & Marketing Manager for the Institute Conference Center. “We invite any business or organization to participate and join in this holiday tradition; this year, participants will benefit from our social media campaign and potentially reach new and wider audiences while continuing their role as a community-minded partner.”

To participate, businesses and organizations should complete the online form at bit.ly/decorating-trees and attach a photo of a decorated tree. All submissions are due by Nov. 18. The photos will be available to the public for voting at IALR’s Facebook page from 9 a.m., Nov. 30 – 4 p.m., Dec. 18. The winner of the online voting competition will be announced on Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m. For more information or questions, contact decoratingtrees@ialr.org or (434) 766-6743.

Last year’s Decorating the Trees for a Cause program featured 44 trees. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s tree received the most votes, benefiting the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County. Foster Insurance’s tree received the second most votes, benefiting God’s Pit Crew. Since the program’s beginning in 2010, more than $117,000 has been raised for charitable causes.

Photos from IALR’s Decorating the Trees for a Cause program, held in 2019, can be viewed here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmJN8eDt