From left: Heather Hackl (SVE Principal), Melissa Rush (Lane Hipple Director of Client Services), and Maureen Ioannucci (SVE School Counselor)
As we do each year, Lane Hipple sought out a giving opportunity that would help improve Christmas for local families in need. After reaching out to schools throughout Burlington County, our team – led by Director of Client Services Melissa Rush – was compelled to partner with South Valley Elementary School and Upper Elementary School, both located in Moorestown, NJ. We learned of families that are going through tough times, some that are homeless, and others being helped regularly by the school with lunches, snacks, and coats.
When informed of this opportunity to come together and help these neighborhood families, our clients quickly took action and began showing up at our office on 155 E. 3rd Street to drop off gift cards, toys, clothes, books, and more. We provided general guidelines to make sure the gifts would be put to good use. There was a family of four boys in need of winters coats, gloves, and food; another family seeking pretend play toys for their special needs daughter and trucks for her older brother; and a mother of a 6- and 10-year old in desperate need of clothes who, when she discovered the school could help, replied with a text saying, “I wasn’t going to pull off Christmas this year. I’m crying now!!”
After only ten days, Lane Hipple collected $2,400 in gift cards and a substantial number of gifts to drop-off to both schools. Now, as a result of the amazing generosity of our clients, team members, and owners – and with the help of the South Valley Elementary School and Upper Elementary School – these local Moorestown families will be able to have the Christmas they had hoped for.
It is extremely important to our team to give back to the local community and help those who are less fortunate. In 2021, Lane Hipple partnered with social services organization, Family Promise of Burlington County, and collected an abundance of daily life supplies, over $3,000 in cash and gift cards, and even provided two families with Christmas trees and gifts for their children.
To our clients:
Thank you for being a huge part of this mission. Your thoughtfulness and kindness means as much to us as it does to the families you have helped. We wish you all a very happy holiday season, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!