Eastern Bergen County, New Jersey– The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County recognized women leaders in the region at its third annual ‘Girls Night Out’ to a sold-out audience of over 100 women on Thursday, March 6 at SEAR House in Closter, New Jersey. To celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, the festive event showed the impact of The Community Chest’s work and raised funds to support programs assisting women and children in need in Bergen County.

“During Women's History Month and in celebration of International Women's Day, we were pleased to recognize the contributions of several women in our community. We also wanted attendees to meet us, connect with others in the area, and share information. Our goal was for everyone, who attended ‘Girls Night Out’, to learn something about The Community Chest and the next day, to share one key fact they learned about us with friends, family and colleagues,” said Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, Executive Director of The Community Chest.

Women Leaders Recognized

The Community Chest’s ‘Girls Night Out’ brought together women from all walks of life to experience an evening of connection, entertainment, and impact. This year, The Community Chest recognized these women leaders for their contributions:

- Helen Archontou, MSW, LSW. CEO, YWCA of Northern New Jersey.
- Assemblywoman Shama Haider. New Jersey Legislative District 37.
- Janel Johnston, Community Liaison with the Englewood Public School District.
- Teresa McMahon, LCADC, MBA, LSCW. Vice President of Vantage  Health System.
- Gabriela Muñoz. West Side Infant and Teen Parent Program.
- Assemblywoman Ellen Park. New Jersey Legislative District 37.
- Senator Holly Schepisi. New Jersey Legislative District 39.
- Dekyi Tenzin Tsotsong. Strategy and Finance Consultant and a member of The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County’s Board of Managers.

Fashion Show and Program
The ‘Girls Night Out’ program featured a live fashion show by Max Mara of its spring and summer designs, a women’s history presentation spotlighting leaders of the past and present in the community, mini makeovers, and raffle prizes. Guests participated in demonstrations provided by Omi Beauty by Melania, Jordana Parker and SooSoo Studios. These community members modeled the latest fashion styles: Helen Archontou, Dr. Ashley Goldenberg, DDS, Theresa McMahon, Gabriela Muñoz, Assemblywoman Ellen Park, and Dekyi Tenzin Tsotsong.

Representatives from The Community Chest’s grant recipients discussed the impact of these awards. Darlene Serrano, executive director of West Side Infant and Children, and Helen Archontou, CEO of YWCA of Northern New Jersey, highlighted the essential services their nonprofits provide to the community with the grant awards they receive. West Side Infant works with young women and up to 15 families providing services such as daycare for the children, while their parents are in school, and counseling for the adult members of the extended family.

The YWCA of Northern New Jersey in conjunction with Flat Rock Brook Nature Center created a new program that will begin in the spring for women struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder from sexual assault, combat, human trafficking, and other causes. The new program uses nature, as the environment for providing counseling when more traditional approaches do not work.

Emcee Gillian Stollwerk Garrett from Gilly's Organics presented the evening's program, with DJ TwinFlame providing the music. Guests enjoyed a variety of delicious hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and dessert. A committee comprised of these volunteers organized the event: Co-Chairs Claudine Colmenar and Emma Guest-Consales, Amie AbuRustum, Adriana Fung, Nancy Kahn, Andrea Misk, Brooke Rutkowski, Vicki Sidrow, Franci Steinberg, Gillian Stollwerk Garrett, Violet Sudol, Dekyi Tenzin Tsotsong, Christina Wanas, and Shelly Wimpfheimer.

Sponsors
A range of sponsors supported the event, including Amie AbuRustum, Aree & Gloria Booker Foundation, Claudine Colmenar, Connect One Bank, Julie Davidson, Nicole Davis, Lisa Donnini, Gail Ehrenberg, Englewood Cliffs Veterinary, PA, Inc.,  Karin Erdtmann, Jodee Fink, Suzan Gordon, Emma Guest-Consales, Assemblywoman Shama Haider, Julie Hasiba, Senator Gordon Johnson, Janel Johnston, Peggy Kabakow, Edna Kominsky, and Richard Kramison. They were joined by Fran Leeman, Rita Lieberman, Samuel Merrin, Jean Mishkin, Rena Moy-Chang, ORA Wellness Center, Janet Pagan, Assemblywoman Ellen Park, Kim Pressman, Provident Bank, Joyce Rothschild, Sandi Rubinetti, Phyllis Schmaus, Kathy Shapiro, Vicki Sidrow, Ellen Skowronski, Franci Steinberg, Cynthia Thek, Jami Toolen, April Uram, Vantage Health System, Shelly Wimpfheimer, and Emily Yang.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
With the motto "Neighbors Helping Neighbors", The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make communities stronger and benefit the people of eastern Bergen County in New Jersey. The founders' vision was to fill a chest with individuals and businesses' generous contributions and to empty the contents by awarding competitive grants to support worthy projects led by local nonprofit agencies in the area demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local residents. The Chest provides support and awards grants to vetted nonprofits that strengthen communities and benefit people in need in the area. For further information about ‘Girls Night Out’ or The Community Chest, visit the organization’s website, www.thecommunitychestebc.org, or call 201-568-7474.