The Community Chest Names New Directors to Board at Critical Time

The Community Chest of eastern Bergen County announces the appointment of five members of the community to the Board of Managers. The nonprofit agency, serving people in need in 15 municipalities in eastern Bergen County, welcomes these active members of the community to guide the organization during these difficult times to help our neighbors encountering serious issues of food insecurity, homelessness, and job loss among other concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"For 88 years, The Community Chest has identified issues and led the way to find solutions through critical times, beginning with its founding during the Great Depression. These new members of the Board of Managers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in the community to help us continue to find solutions to the serious issues we face, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Richard Kennedy, President, The Community Chest.

These new trustees will serve a three-year term, working with the organization to carry out its mission and the motto, Neighbors Helping Neighbors. As part of their tenure, the following new trustees participate on at least one Board of Manager's committee:

• Ava Rattigan, owner of Favor Senior Home Care, LLC in Englewood, serves on The Chest's Young Women's Leadership Committee;
• James Geraghty, Vice President/Market Manager with Valley National Bank in Englewood and Tenafly, serves on The Chest's Partnership for Healthy Eating and Finance Committees;
• Barbara Brensilber, a community volunteer in Tenafly, serves on The Chest's Golf Outing Planning Committee;
• Emily Yang, a community volunteer in Tenafly, serves on the Young Women's Leadership and Membership Survey Committees; and
• Renee Bouaziz, of Englewood, is Sales Associate with Keller Williams Realty and serves on The Chest's Neighbors for Neighbors Meal Committee for Englewood.

"Each member offers a unique set of skills, expertise, and talent that are invaluable to The Community Chest. They will assist with governance and fundraising, while also helping to market The Community Chest's mission and work widely," explained Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, Executive Director.

The Community Chest's Board of Managers is comprised of 24 community leaders. They are dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors in need in The Chest's service area in these 15 municipalities in eastern Bergen County: Alpine, Bergenfield, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh and Tenafly.

"The organization looks for individuals who know and respect our mission and are willing to participate actively on our committees. We look for neighbors who understand the issues present in the area and want to be an active supporter of The Chest with their friends, family, and the community, in general," explained Kennedy.

For further information about The Community Chest and its projects and programs or to be considered for membership on the Board of Managers, contact (201) 568-7474.