By Kim Zwisdak, Media Contact, Village Lutheran Church and The Chapel School

Jan. 18, 2017:  Bronxville resident Laurie Meehan received the Community Champion Award at The Chapel School's annual fundraising gala--The Gathering of Friends. The event took place on Friday, March 17, at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.

"The Gathering of Friends Community Champion is someone in the Village Lutheran Church, The Chapel School, or Concordia Community who has made great strides for the mission of the church and inspires us to our highest ideals," said Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell, senior pastor of the Village Lutheran Church. "Laurie has been such a blessing to our Chapel School and the Bronxville community. With great humility and a 'roll-up-your sleeves' attitude, Laurie has both passion and great wisdom, and we are grateful for her selfless devotion to making our world a better place."

Over the past 10 years, Ms. Meehan has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments at The Chapel School. Having served as a Chapel School class parent (multiple times) and Gathering of Friends (GOF) chair (2012) and having held almost every position within the PTO (Parent/Teacher Organizaion), including president (2014/2015), there is no volunteer opportunity to which Ms. Meehan has not graciously given her time; she currently serves as a Blue Ribbon Foundation Board (BRF) member and on the PTO Programming Committee.

Michael Schultz, principal of The Chapel School, added, "I have known and worked with Laurie for many years, through her countless hours of volunteerism at The Chapel School in support of everything from the PTO to the Gathering of Friends gala, but this is my first experience with the excitement she brings to the [BRF] board. As we work toward building our BRF Endowment Fund, we are poised to do great things for the students and families of The Chapel School for generations to come. Many wonderful volunteers and generous donors have helped us get to this point, but I believe that we would not be here without Laurie's commitment and leadership."

Schultz also noted that the love of children, all children, is truly what motivates Ms. Meehan. She spearheaded an effort to offer movement and exercise to The Chapel School students during winter indoor recess months. After months of meetings with administration, faculty, and parents, the "Spring Training" program started in 2015 to help Chapel kids do calisthenics during the dreary winter months and stay healthy.

Ms. Meehan's kindness and compassion extend beyond the school campus and into the surrounding local communities. She has been an active volunteer at the Tree House for the Bereavement Center of Westchester, an organization offering support and a caring environment for children who have lost a parent or sibling. 

Ms. Meehan has also served as the Junior League of Bronxville's New Projects Chair. helping to pilot programs to provide homework help to students at the Mount Vernon Public Library and to provide support and activities for siblings of children with special needs at Heartsong.

According to Jamie Geier and Amy Reid, the 2017 Gathering of Friends co-chairs, "You may or may not know Laurie personally, but, if you are a Chapel family, undoubtedly you know her work. All of us at Chapel have for years been the unknowing benefactors of her tireless dedication, innovative ideas, and unwavering commitment to improving our school and positively impacting the lives of all who attend." 

Pictured here:  Laurie Meehan, center, with children.

Photo courtesy Kim Zwisdak, Media Contact, Village Lutheran Church and The Chapel School