Harrisburg, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape is proud to announce that Michelle Ridge received the Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year at the annual National Philanthropy Day Celebration on Monday, November 16 at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel.
Former PA First Lady Michele Ridge with PCAR Executive Director Delilah Rumburg
Ridge has served as Vision of Hope Advisory Chair since the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center founded the Vision of Hope campaign in July 2005.
Under Michele’s leadership, the Vision of Hope campaign strives to research, develop and financially support cutting-edge practices in the areas of child sexual abuse prevention, protection and intervention.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award, but am most grateful to have such incredible, talented and extraordinary volunteers working with me to make vital contributions that impact on our children and youth throughout the Commonwealth,” Ridge said.
“By working together, we are able to harness resources to create meaningful change, greater public awareness and further provide important services to our most vulnerable population that ultimately will protect the hopes and dreams of our children.”
Winners for the awards were chosen by an independent panel of judges appointed by The Association of Fundraising Professionals Central PA. Award nominations were received from throughout the central Pennsylvania region. Each year, AFP sponsors NPD to recognize individuals, businesses and foundations that are making a difference in our community.
“National Philanthropy Day is a special day set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great impact of philanthropy in our community and throughout the world,” said James Shenk, CFRE, president of the Central PA Chapter of AFP. “We look forward to honoring the award winners.”
PCAR was honored to nominate Ridge for the award.
“Through Vision of Hope, it is our goal to raise support and enhance our collective efforts to end child sexual abuse by providing prevention resources at the local, state and national levels,” said Delilah Rumburg, executive director of PCAR. “Thanks to Michele, we have come a long way since launching the Vision of Hope campaign in 2005.”
Other award winners who will be honored at the luncheon are: Highmark Blue Shield, Corporation of the Year; Jayne B. Abrams, Fundraising Professional of the Year; and Robert and Donna Pullo, Philanthropists of the Year.
AFP is the leading organization for professionalism in fundraising and it helps hundreds of local fundraisers to efficiently and ethically raise philanthropic dollars by increasing their skills and knowledge. The Central PA Chapter is committed to advancing philanthropy through education, training and advocacy.