This year, my own thoughts turn to Its’ A Wonderful Life.  It’s one of my favorite Christmas movies.  Maybe it’s because I’ve had my share of George Bailey moments. I think maybe a lot of us have. That feeling where you don’t really know if you’ve made a difference. That what you’ve done or what you’re doing matters. When the film opens, Clarence asks the other angels if George is sick. “No. Worse,” they respond. “He’s discouraged.”  That was me in 2019.

You see, from 2002-2012 I had worked as an event planner and fundraising consultant in New York City and when I moved back to Pittsburgh, I still maintained my career in NYC. But something was missing. I longed for the friendships and relationships that come along with having a local position and being a part of a community. There was a huge disconnect and over the years I felt as though even though I was here in Pittsburgh, I wasn’t really a part of any community. In many ways, I felt as though I had lost my way and almost completely gave up. Like George Bailey, I was discouraged.

When I saw the listing for a part-time administrative assistant position for a small, relatively unknown nonprofit, I was skeptical. As a native of Pittsburgh, I was aware of Woodland Hills School District and some of the issues the school had faced. But what was the Woodland Hills Foundation? How were they helping? Would I really be able to make a difference as an administrative assistant? I almost didn’t go to the interview.

Now, as I start my third year at the Foundation, having since been promoted to Director of Development, I know better. And I am so grateful that I get to write you today. We have learned about the good work the Foundation is doing—and helped it grow—TOGETHER. It is because of all of you, the Friends of the Foundation, that I found my way again.  I know your names. I am getting to know your faces. I know that the Foundation and I both can count on you.

Today I am a part of a strong and proud community. Who looks out for their own.  A village who champions what is just and right.  Every time we are able to award a scholarship to one of our students or make a teacher’s Dream come true, or award a mini-grant, I feel pride for “The Village.” I am proud of my position and proud of the work being done by the Foundation. And I am proud to help facilitate your generosity.  

So even though you might not know me yet, I want you to know that in my position at the Foundation, I count you as friends. No, maybe not my own personal friends. But true friends of the Foundation and of the Woodland Hills School District. A source of support who is always there. Through the good and the bad.

Today I am encouraged. Because, just as Clarence’s inscription read on the book he gave to George, I am reminded, “No man is a failure who has friends.”

Here is to a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year!

Best,

Jennifer Trehar
Director of Development
jennifer.whfoundation@gmail.com

2021 HIGHLIGHTS

January: The Foundation launched the new Student Portal on the Foundation's website, allowing students to quickly and easily apply for scholarships.

January: Four new scholarships were announced: The disAbled Student Scholarship for economically disadvantaged students who have a visible or non-visible disability; The Diversity Scholarship for students who have been traditionally underrepresented and identify as being part of a racial minority; The H.U.G.S. Volunteer Scholarship, designed to honor students for outstanding service to others at the local, state and/or national level; and The Traditional Scholarship for economically disadvantaged students who will continue their education in a four-year college.

February: The Foundation launched our Guide to Establishing a Scholarship; 2 additional scholarships have since been added to our scholarship roster: The Rotary Club of Forest Hills "Service Above Self" Tom Nunnally Memorial Scholarship and The Robert & Christine Smith Diversity Scholarship.

March: In 2021, the Foundation received 79 scholarship applications—a 75% increase over 2020. Twelve scholarships were awarded, totaling $13,500 and to date, $113,500 have been awarded.

April: The Foundation celebrated our Annual Chocolate & Diamonds Affair with a twist: the entirely virtual event grossed $42,375.00, just $4,000 shy of what was raised during our typically in-person event.

May: H.U.G.S., the Foundation's volunteer arm, announced Kona & Kickball. This free summer long event featured guest pitchers, free Kona Ice to the first 50 players, prizes, raffles and more. Over $500 was raised in support of this initiative.

June: Thanks to generous EITC donations from MSA, The Safety Company and Dollar Bank, the Foundation awarded the WHSD STEM/Robotics Department with $7,836.00 in Robotics equipment and has earmarked an additional $963.54 to be awarded in early 2022.

July: The Foundation's Annual Alumni Cabaret enjoyed more success than ever before, welcoming 210 guests and grossing $3,676.33 thanks to generous sponsorships from The Kanaan-Yezovich Group of Hefren Tilltotson and the Stein Family Charitable Fund.

August: Thanks to a contact with the Churchill-Wilkins Rotary, Volunteers of America donated approximately 250 backpacks, most of which were filled with supplies, in support of Hohn's Helping Hands.

September: H.U.G.S. held its first remote training for new volunteers in nearly two years!

October: Once again H.U.G.S. held its new annual event, Six Feet Trick or Treat, which raised $5,200.38 thanks in part to our Underwriting Sponsor Brandon Greene, State Farm Insurance. Close to 700 children were signed up for this year's Drive-Boo and over 1,200 treat bags were delivered in the District.

November: The Foundation was selected to participate in a special edition of the Pittsburgh Foundation's Wish Book. To-date, $3,000 has been awarded to the Foundation.

November: Thanks to a generous $3,000 gift from the Swissvale Rotary, later followed by an additional contribution from the Stein Family Foundation, the Foundation is able to provide Backpacks of Hope, a community food initiative started by social workers in the District, with enough food to provide meals every weekend to children in need in our District.

November: The Foundation re-launched the Toiletry Drive, which raised $350 in cash donations and even  more in-kind donations of toiletry bags and feminine hygiene products, which were assembled and distributed to students in need in the District.

November: Giving Tuesday was a huge success, shattering our previous record and raising $2,230 in general operating funds.

December: The Foundation announced 3 Mini-Grant recipients and will award $4,238.68 to teachers in the Woodland Hills School District: Desiree White-Price; Megan Mathieu and Michelle Sperduto; and Bethany Morse and Claudine Bagwell.

December: Long-time Foundation Board Member and Board President, Dr. Steven T. Gough announced his departure from the Foundation; Jessica R. Reed was elected Board President.

December: The Jack Buncher Foundation awarded the Foundation with a $20,00 Capacity Building Grant.

December: The Foundation answered the call when High School Principal Shelley Manns announced her desire to purchase every High School student a small gift.  The Foundation helped to raise $3,595.00 towards Principal Manns' $6,000 goal.

Year-Long: Throughout 2021, the Foundation awarded teachers with more Dream Book awards than ever before. Ten dreams were fulfilled, totaling $8,617.85.

ALL OF THIS IS BECAUSE OF YOU, OUR FRIENDS AND DONORS