Helping MCC Grow: An Evening with the Lillian Sugarman Loyal Giving Society
Thursday, June 6, 2024- Maternity Care Coalition’s (MCC) Early Head Start (EHS) center in South Philadelphia is usually abuzz with energy from the children who spend their days there learning and playing together. However, on the evening of June 6th, it was filled with a different kind of excitement as MCC held the inaugural celebration of the Lillian Sugarman Loyal Giving Society.
At MCC, we define loyal donors as those who have made a gift of any size for three or more consecutive years. We uplift these donors because they are the ones who partner with MCC year after year, knowing that the work that we do is driven by the collective impact of many.
This event gave these donors the opportunity to take a peek “behind the scenes” at the EHS center, see their support in action, and hear about the giving society’s namesake, Lillian Sugarman. Lillian served on MCC’s board of directors from 2018 until her passing in 2021 and was part of the EHS committee beginning in 2015. She brought over 50 years of experience in early childhood education with her to MCC, and as the speakers for the evening expressed, Lillian was incredibly passionate and shared a true warmth with clients and staff alike.
This warmth also radiated during the event. MCC President and CEO, Marianne Fray, opened the program by sharing her memories of Lillian and her gratitude for the giving society donors. Amanda Drop, Lead Advocate for EHS in Norristown, and Jackie Rogers, EHS Child Development Coordinator, shared more about MCC’s EHS program. Sharon Petroski, EHS Health and Nutrition Specialist, then took the guests on a tour of the classrooms and the beautiful EHS garden, where the children experience hands-on learning and help grow flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Kathy Foy, MCC board member and current EHS Committee chair, closed the program by sharing her heartfelt memories of working with Lillian.
It was a beautiful evening that provided ample time for guests to connect with MCC staff and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of our work. The EHS students were also there in spirit. Prior to the event, they decorated seedling pots for guests to take home. We hope these posts will remind them how the Lillian Sugarman Loyal Giving Society helps MCC grow. We look forward to more celebrations with this vital giving society.
