2023 Community Heroes Gala

Thank you for making our 2023 Community Heroes Gala a smashing success!

We created the Community Hero Award two weeks after Integrate for Good incorporated. In 2019, we awarded the inaugural Community Hero award to Teri Black, and to her son David posthumously. David lost his battle to addiction at the age of 25, but before he died, he taught Teri about the Sleeping Mat Project and she taught us. It continues to be one of our most meaningful projects, and we hope you'll come out and volunteer with us if you haven't already!

In 2020, our Community Heroes Celebration turned into a virtual Kindness Fest, and we honored Meghan Murphy, Founder of the Kindness Rocks Project. We have three Integrate for Good Kindness Rocks Gardens and more to come! If your company would like to bring your employees together in a really fun and meaningful way, schedule a corporate team building event with us! We'll bring everything right to you! We'd love to help you stand out for what you stand for.

In 2021, we honored the Weiss Family and Perkiomen Valley Brewery. If you haven't had a drink at PVB, you need to go to this incredibly inclusive place where you feel like family the moment you walk in the door!

In 2022, we honored the McFarland family and the Coffee Closet with Barista Jake. We value their collaboration and friendship more than any words can say.

And this year, please join us in celebrating The Carcarey Family and Collegeville Italian Bakery!!

In 2021, we honored the Weiss Family and Perkiomen Valley Brewery. If you haven't had a beer at PVB, you need to go to this incredibly inclusive place where you feel like family the moment you walk in the door!

In 2022, we honored the McFarland family, and we value their collaboration and friendship more than any words can say.

And this year, please join us in celebrating The Carcarey Family and Collegeville Italian Bakery!!

Presented By

In honor of Bev's Mom, Debbie Schwartz, we introduced the Integrate for Good Leadership Award at our 2022 Community Heroes Gala. It will continue into the future, honoring her legacy while recognizing people with disabilities whose leadership shines just as brightly as hers did, but might go otherwise unnoticed. Last year, her inaugural award went to Heather Michaelson and Varun Parakala, who continue to lead brightly. The two honorees this year did not know they are receiving these awards.

Congratulations to this years Leadership Award receptionist, Cara Cushing and Ben Hartranft!

A young woman with glasses and shoulder-length brown hair is smiling at the camera. She is holding a pencil and wearing a golden blouse, a blue patterned scarf, and earrings. A nametag on her scarf reads "Cara Cushing." She exudes a happy and positive demeanor. In the background, there are blurred figures of other attendees, suggesting a crowded and lively atmosphere. The environment has warm lighting and a mix of standing and seating arrangements, typical of a social or professional gathering.

A man in a blue button-up shirt with a name tag, seated and cheering enthusiastically at the 2023 Community Heroes Gala. He is wearing glasses, has short dark hair, a name tag that reads "Ben Hartranft," and appears joyful. In the background, there are blurred figures of other attendees, suggesting a crowded and lively atmosphere. Some of the attendees are looking in the same direction, smiling and engaged in the event. The environment has warm lighting and a mix of standing and seating arrangements, typical of a social or professional gathering.

As Integrate for Good reaches its remarkable 5-year milestone, we are thrilled to celebrate a half-decade of impactful change! This journey has been an exhilarating rollercoaster of innovation and collaboration, made possible by the unwavering support of our incredible community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every volunteer, donor, and advocate who has contributed to our shared mission of inclusion. Here's to five years of making a difference together, and to the countless more ahead as we continue to replace loneliness with belonging and opportunity.