To help accomplish its mission, the Hope Loves Company has added five new members to the non-profit organization’s Board of Directors.
The elected board members are Craig and Kristen Colby, Sara Cooper, Michael Palmer and Linda Osman.
“We made a conscious decision to grow our board as we as an organization are growing. To be able to bring in more diversity has been great,” said Jodi O’Donnell-Ames, Founder of Hope Loves Company. “We now have board members who are living with ALS, which helps us to keep current on what is happening with ALS. Their perspective is very helpful and needed.”
The organization, which is located on 65 Main St. in Pennington, has a total of 17 board members a part of the Board of Directors.
Hope Loves Company is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide educational and emotional support to children and young adults who have had or have a love one with ALS, according to officials.
“It has been our goal since we started this in 2012 to basically do our best to provide the services that were not provide to families of those with ALS,” O’Donnell-Ames said. “To keep up with need, we needed to increase the number of people who are directly supporting that mission. Increasing the Board is all part of that.”
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, according to the ALS Association.
Craig and Kristen Colby, who are husband and wife, are Delaware residents who have made ALS a top priority for Delaware by meeting with lawmakers. They have been part of the ALS community for the last 11 years. Craig was diagnosed with ALS in 2008. They bring many years of experience to the Hope Loves Company Board of Directors, according to officials.
“We are still trying very hard to let people know Hope Loves Company exists, so the more people we have in various states help inform others about how our organization has benefited their family or about witnessing our programs in action, which is what a board member would see,” O’Donnell-Ames said. “This helps us reach out to additional children.”
Cooper, Founder of Cooper Creative Group and a Titusville resident, is a project management and marketing professional. She serves on non-profit boards and committees focusing on fundraising, marketing and public relations and governance. With over 20 years of experience in developing and growing client relationships, she has proven success in building business opportunities and revenues while executing directives, according organization officials.
Palmer is the director of Healthmark Counseling, LLC; a private outpatient mental health practice in Cinnaminson. Palmer is a lecturer, consultant, and is a member of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families strategic planning committee to prevent domestic violence. He hopes to contribute to the growth and expansion of HLC and its mission, officials said.
Osman is an attorney with a private practice in Chesterfield. A general practitioner, she represents clients in real estate, family law, estate matters, corporate, landlord/ tenant, land use, and municipal court. She is hopeful this diverse background enables her to assist HLC achieve its goals, according to officials.
“We are so fortunate that our mission attracts leaders and positive people who want to join our efforts. We are fortunate to have these five new board member a part of our team and help us improve and expand our mission,” O’Donnell-Ames said. “They are all volunteers.”
According to O’Donnell-Ames, Hope Loves Company provides various programs for children and young adults which include Camp HLC, a three-day weekend retreat where campers enjoy recreational activities while learning coping skills and receive support; Hugs of Hope care packages, which consist of a Camp HLC t-shirt, stuffed animal, children’s book, and signed card from the HLC team, educational materials and children’s books are provided and there are Family Fun Days.
For more information about Hope Loves Company, visit hopelovescompany.org.
