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A magical ambiance surrounded the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue as Devereux Pennsylvania celebrated their 11th Annual Gala. This Mystery and Magic Black-Tie Affair proved to be an evening of masqued wonder, featuring a premier live and silent auction, live entertainment by big band musicians, 22 Park Avenue, dancing and exquisite cuisine.
Lisa Yang was honored with the Cheryl & Howard Hassman Devereux Leadership Award. This award was established in 2007 by the Devereux Board of Trustees and is presented annually to an individual, family or organization that has given extraordinary commitments of time, talent and financial support to Devereux Pennsylvania. Ms. Yang was chosen as the 2009 recipient for her incredible generosity, leadership and personal commitment to Devereux for more than eight years. Yang, who graciously serves on the Devereux Board of Trustees, the Pennsylvania Advisory Board and is a proud Devereux parent, is a true champion of the organization’s mission.
Since its beginnings as a grassroots fundraiser organized by eager parents, such as Cheryl and Howard Hassman and staff of the Devereux Kanner Center, the auction has grown into a signature event for Devereux Pennsylvania serving as one of its major fundraisers benefiting the children and adults served at the Beneto, Kanner and Whitlock centers. This year the Gala had 23 sponsors, led by presenting co-sponsors Barclays Capital and Deutsche Bank, making 2009 a record-breaking year.
Tickets to the 2010 Grammy Awards and Dancing with the Stars, a one-week vacation in a luxurious beach-front residence in Costa Rica, a Cartier Trinity One ring and much, much more were bid on by more than 275 guests on Saturday, October 3rd. Other feature items included a Bladeless Custom LASIK Advanced Vision Correction, a catered dinner in your home by Devine Occasions, irresistible Adirondack chairs hand-painted by a Devereux Kanner staff person and the always popular custom baskets donated by Devereux Pennsylvania and corporate staff members.
Devereux Pennsylvania bids its sincerest thanks to the sponsors, attendees, contributors and volunteers of the 2009 Gala for making it a grand success, raising more than $130,000.
If you were unable to join in the fun this year - -
Mark your calendar for
Saturday, October 2, 2010
at the
Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue for the
12th Annual Devereux Pennsylvania Gala.
It will be another evening to remember!
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2009 Cheryl & Howard Hassman Devereux Leadership Award Recipient
Lisa Yang
 Lisa Yang is deeply involved with Devereux as both a mother and a very active volunteer, serving on the Board of Trustees and the Pennsylvania Advisory Board.
Her relationship with Devereux began in 2001 when her son Douglas, who has autism, entered the Kanner Center at age 16. Doug, now 23-years-old, resides and works at the Devereux Whitlock Center.
The “Dougmobile,” a van donated by Ms. Yang, is used for field trips for the children and adolescents of the Kanner Center. Kids have been taken to bowling parties, Hershey Park, Longwood Gardens, where they ate breakfast with Santa, and Chinatown during the Chinese New Year, where they enjoyed firecrackers and dragons. They also went to Ocean City with Yang, a trip she found particularly gratifying. “I can’t tell you how much fun it is,” she says, to see kids enjoying the beach and the rides. Some of the kids have never been to the shore.
Yang also helps with the vocational programs at the Devereux Whitlock facility. The programs include an auto shop and a bike shop whose refurbished bikes have gone to benefit kids in the Philadelphia School District as well as tsunami victims overseas. Other vocational programs include a pewter shop, as well as a silkscreen and embroidery shop using equipment donated by Ms. Yang.
Ms. Yang is passionate about helping Devereux express appreciation to its donors by sponsoring an annual spring soirée in their honor, an event she initiated four years ago. She also funds the RSVP (Respect Service Visionary Proactivity) award, a cash award to a staff member from each of the southeast Pennsylvania centers in recognition of their service to those in our care.
Ms. Yang also uses her varied contacts to raise community awareness of the needs of Devereux. Cartier boutique in King of Prussia has donated a portion of the proceeds earned at its annual private holiday party and the Barnes Arboretum donated its facility for an “Evening at the Barnes” event.
In the announcement of the 2009 Cheryl and Howard Hassman Devereux Leadership Award, Devereux’s president and CEO, Bob Kreider, said, “Lisa’s leadership, both as a trustee and member of the Pennsylvania Advisory Board, as well as her generosity has directly impacted our ability to bring happiness and personal fulfillment to some of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable citizens.” Lisa Yang was raised in Singapore and holds a degree in industrial-labor relations from Cornell University and an MBA from Columbia. She worked on Wall Street and in Singapore, and then moved to the Philadelphia area in 1993. |
