Home » New Board President for Hope Loves Company, Founder Becomes Community Engagement Director

New Board President for Hope Loves Company, Founder Becomes Community Engagement Director

by MercerMe Staff

Hope Loves Company, a Hopewell Valley-based non-profit, announced this month that its founder and former board president, Jodi O’Donnell-Ames, has stepped down from the role to serve as the organization’s community engagement director. HLC is the only non-profit in the United States with the mission to provide emotional and educational support to children and young adults who have or have had a loved one battling ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Taking O’Donnell-Ames’ place as board president will be Tracey Vasile.

“Hope Loves Company (HLC) is very fortunate to have Tracey in this executive position ” said O’Donnell-Ames, Founder. “We feel confident that her managerial experience, non-profit dedication, business acumen, as well as her belief in our mission will strengthen our future. Having a new president will give me the opportunity to spend more time in the community and to provide outreach.”

Tracey Vasile is the Vice President of Client Engagement at Verisk Analytics, and was a close friend and dedicated caregiver to the late Susan Anderson. Vasile learned firsthand the effect that ALS has on an entire family during that life-changing experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Master of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Sacred Heart University.

”Having personally seen first-hand the incredible impact that Hope Loves Company has on children and families, I have been honored to be a member of HLC’s board of directors for the past several years and, most recently, to be elected as its president. I look forward to continuing to work with Jodi, the HLC Board, staff and volunteers and, most importantly, all of the children and young adults impacted by ALS,” said Vasile.

HLC Founder, Jodi O’Donnell-Ames, has three children – now all young adults – who have lost a parent to ALS before turning 12, so she knew from personal experience how ALS affects a family, especially children. When her children became of college age, O’Donnell-Ames established Hope Loves Company to support the children of ALS families with services that would have benefitted her own children.

HLC offers various programs and resources, all at no cost, to children, young adults, and families affected by ALS. Some of these programs include Camp HLC, a 3-day weekend retreat where campers enjoy recreational activities while learning coping skills and receiving much-needed support; Hugs of Hope care packages, which include a Camp HLC t-shirt, stuffed animal, children’s book, and signed card from the HLC team; educational materials and children’s books; Family Fun Days; and more. HLC has provided eighteen free Camp HLCs across the nation to date.

On Saturday, March 16th , 2019, HLC will host a benefit at Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad Ballroom in Titusville with nine-piece band, Friends Classic Rock. The “Night of Hope” begins at 6pm and general admission is $35, seniors and students are $15. Please see their website for more information.

To learn more about Hope Loves Company and their free programs and resources for children and families affected by ALS, call the HLC office at (609)-730-1144 or visit the HLC website, www.hopelovescompany.org.

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