Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey’s (SBACNJ) Professional Women in Building of the Garden State (PWBGS) council has been a long-time supporter of the Collier Youth Services and the Collier Youth Group Home in Red Bank. Since the council’s inception several years ago its members have provided a casual fireside chat mentorship program as well as various donation drives. Through this philanthropic work, the council has established very strong ties with the residents and staff of the group home. Each year around the holidays the PWBGS has collected various gift donations for the residents of the group home. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year presented particular challenges, so instead of delivering gifts to the residents, the PWBGS shifted their annual collection to a cash donation drive which they named “Cash for Collier”. The cash donation drive utilizing online payment platforms such as Paypal and Venmo to provide a non-contact experience for those wishing to give. The council is pleased to announce they have collected $1,500.00 to be donated directly to the Collier Youth Services for staff to purchase holiday gifts for the residents, which many times are very basic needs such as personal care items.

“With so many community organizations in need, particularly this year, it is our pleasure to be able to continue our tradition of making the holidays a little brighter for the residents of the Collier Youth Group Home in Red Bank,” states PWBGS President, Georgette Kyriacou of FWH Associates. She continues, “Not only did our PWBGS members step up, but the full membership of the SBACNJ, including the Board of Directors, were very generous in giving to our Cash for Collier donation drive. We would like to thank everyone for their continued generosity during this holiday season.”

As a result of the donation, the staff at Collier Youth Group Home will be able to purchase many much-needed gifts for the residents, who are facing a difficult holiday season. In response, a staff member at Collier Youth Services sent a note of thanks to the Executive Officer of SBACNJ, Gina McNamara and the PWBGS. “You, and all the women from Shore Builders, continue to be a shining light for our youth. We are so incredibly grateful for all that you do for us throughout the year and even in the face of a pandemic. Please know that you have touched all of our hearts and continue to impact the lives of so many young women, both staff and youth, who have endured so much and have such a difficult time during the holiday season. Thank you for your unyielding kindness and love.”

The PWBGS was founded in January 2016 due to the increasing female representation within the New Jersey local home builders’ associations. Although the council is not just for women, the mission statement of the PWBGS is to promote and support all aspects of building and empower women within the industry through professional development and leadership. In addition to being presented the Community Service Award by NJBA, the PWBGS has been recognized for its work by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and was presented with both the Community Outreach Award and Innovative Programs Award in 2017 at the NAHB International Builders Show. It is through its community outreach programs that the council expands and grows its mission. All members of New Jersey local home builder’s associations are eligible to join the council. For more information on becoming a member of PWBGS and SBACNJ visit http://shorebuilders.org/ or call 732-364-2828.