CURO in the Community
We love our community and value being a part of it, so giving back and getting involved with local organizations connects to the core of our mission: helping others in need. Over the years, we have volunteered with and donated to many non-profits, but this year we’ve reached beyond ourselves and included clients in our adventures, special events and outreach efforts to make a greater impact. Take a look at the fun we’ve had below! If you would like to join us for our next community project, please let us know.
Celebrating 5 Years of Success & Gratitude!
There is no doubt in our minds we have the BEST clients!! Take one look at the mountain of donations sent to us for local children entering foster care, and you will feel that way too.
On this wonderful night in November we celebrated 5 Years of Success & Gratitude with the amazing clients and friends that helped us cultivate our dream of CURO by being a part of theirs.
Although the night began with us, it was really about giving back to the community for which we are so proud to be a part. With a room filled with toys, teddy bears, blankets, bags and much more, we filled our conference room 10 at time and took turns decorating duffle bags, writing inspirational notes, and filling 20 #SweetCases for local children beginning their journey into foster care. Each bag was stuffed full of love and all the generosity provided by our clients.
Through Together We Rise we were connected to Children’s Home Society of NJ, who shared the bags with children going to a difficult time as they transition to a new reality in their lives.
We are beyond grateful to everyone that attended, donated and supported this endeavor to make a difference!
We Slayed the Dragon, Once Again!
The weather couldn't have been more perfect for a night on the water with this amazing group of fun and fearless ladies! The South Jersey Dragon Boat Club instructed everyone on basic paddling skills and drills, then we loaded onto the boat to put those skills into practice. A little choppy at times and often a splash or a clash of paddles, but it wasn't long before we were gliding into the sunset.
Dragon Boat Racing or just paddling in our case, is a great exercise in teamwork, as it allows you to be in the moment and work together with the crew person in front of you to gain synchrony. This is the fastest growing sport in the world - especially for women, and we can see why, as it is exhilarating, athletic, meditative, and fun to share with friends.
After paddling, we celebrated on the lawn with refreshments and snacks, while we listened and laughed as Old Man Garage Band played for the crowd. Thanks to SJDBC and all the ladies who joined us on the water for this year's Dragon Boat introduction. We love sharing these unique experiences with our clients and friends. If you'd like to join us next time, please let us know.
Ladies Night Out in Philly for a "Badass" Walking Tour Celebrating Women's History
It was a beautiful night in Philadelphia with our clients and friends, learning about the brave, and often forgotten women who made the city what it is today. This unique walking tour, celebrating women's history, was created by local Haverford graduate Rachel Fisher of Beyond the Bell Tours and tells the stories of a city very different from what is depicted in our history books. At the conclusion of the walk, we celebrated one another and a great night out with cocktails at a local women-owned spot.
Giving Back to WHYY
CURO kicked off National Volunteer Month at WHYY Studios in Philadelphia, taking pledge calls from passionate members, like us and helping the non-profit media company to grow and continue supporting the community, with more than $10,000 raised! Several of our clients, Yvonne, Sima and Judy joined us for the fun evening around the tables talking to callers. A special thanks and a big hug to Sima, Judy & Yvonne for joining us around the table; we couldn't have done it without you!
Giving Back to the Exceptional Kids of Sammy’s House in Austin, TX
Marianna recently had the opportunity to get her hands dirty and do something really special for others in need. At the Commonwealth Annual Conference in Austin, Texas, she participated in their "Giving Back to the Community" program, where advisors and staff volunteer their time with a local charity. This year's recipient was Sammy’s House, a non-profit agency and child development center that provides services for children with special needs. They repaired a playground for children, painted and cleaned around the house, fixed up their garden and planted flowers. What a fulfilling experience that left her with a few tears, many smiles and a grateful heart.
A Wild Good Time! An Introduction to Dragon Boat Racing
Ten pops of quick, short paddles, followed by a one minute set of long strokes and finishing strong, digging deep into the river to pull the water back, we experienced what it was like to race a Dragon Boat.
Our group of fun and fearless ladies met up at the Red Dragon Canoe Club, where the South Jersey Dragon Boat Club is also based. Lisa Mercuro and her team members shared boat safety tips beforehand to keep us all onboard (and out of the water!) Then we were off and into the sunset for wet and wild adventure...
Ladies, 18 to 68 years young, mixed along the boat according to size, skill and strength all took part in the action of powering the craft along the Delaware. During our practice we were even greeted by the enormous Iron Lady, a cargo ship passing through the same channel.
The first few rounds weren't exactly in sync, as we learned how to hold our paddles and where to place them into the water for the most effective, and most comfortable effort to propel us forward. Though, it didn't take us long to catch our stride and feel the teamwork working for us, making the process smoother and a lot less wet!
What an exhilarating time it was for all of us! Our special thanks to Lisa Mercuro and her team for introducing us to the art and joy of the "DRAGON EFFECT - Enjoyment, Fitness, Fellowship, Education, Community & Teamwork." We loved every minute and can't wait to do it again.
Who's ready for the next adventure? Contact Dana@curowm.com if you’d like to be informed of our next fun outing!
Partnering with Together We Rise to create a better tomorrow for foster youth in our community.
Last May, friends and clients of CURO came out to help us decorate special duffel bags for local children displaced from their homes and entering into foster care.
We gave it our best artistic effort and stenciled the duffels with dinos, butterflies, rainbows, rocket ships, and more and added words of inspiration and letters of encouragement. Once decorated, we stuffed them full of books, blankets, teddy bears, toothbrushes and toys. It is our hope that the children that receive these bags find comfort in the contents and in the face of their uncertain future.
We delivered the SWEET CASES of joy to Children's Home Society of New Jersey, a local family services organization, to be given to children in need, between the ages of 0 and 11 years old. Although weren't able to see their faces when they received the gifts, our hearts are warmed with the thought of each of them opening the bags in their new homes, finding all the treasures inside and realizing just how much they matter.
We are so grateful to everyone that participated, painted, stuffed or sent items to be included in the bags.
We plan to do this again later in the year, so if you would like to contribute to our donation drive or if you're willing to lend a hand, please visit our Amazon Wish List or contact us!
Supporting community enrichment programs through our local public media organization...
Supporting arts in our community is an important endeavor to us at CURO. WHYY, based in Philadelphia, provides unique programing to children and adults through PBS, multimedia education in local schools, a regional news service, and special events centered on civic issues and meet & greets with renowned personalities.
As a supporter of WHYY, we are invited to many exciting and limited-seating events, of which we always try to attend and share with our clients. Earlier this year, we attended an exclusive breakfast event honoring renowned author and advocate for alternative medicine, Deepak Chopra, given by host Maiken Scott at the WHYY studio. We were able to share this memorable experience with a few of our clients and friends, and enjoyed talking with the spiritualist afterwards. It is with unique opportunities like this that make us so proud to support our local public media.
In April, WHYY held a special event honoring Chef - Author - Restaurateur Lidia Bastianich in support of her new memoir, My American Dream: A Life of Love, Family and Food. Our Marketing Manager, Dana, and her mom, Cathy, attended the reception and enjoyed the opportunity to meet Lidia and get their books signed.
What a treat for us when earlier this month, we got the chance to meet and listen in to Terry Gross of Fresh Air with Terry Gross on NPR, along with Dave Davies and Dave Bianculli during the Fresh Air event at WHYY.
CURO is proud to continue supporting the outstanding programing and cultural events provided by WHYY, and looking forward to more fun and engaging opportunities to be involved in for 2019.
