About Caring Hands

The Great Valley Community Organization Caring Hands foundation was started in 2013 by Great Valley classmates to raise funding for fellow students who were affected by the sudden death of a family member.

For many years since then, the group has taken an active role to address the resulting challenges from tragic events affecting local people and families. The Caring Hands organization continues to be a student-run outreach program, supporting those in need in our community.

Whitford Charitable Fund Grantee

The Great Valley Community Organization (GVCO) is happy to announce that we have been selected as a Whitford Charitable Fund Grantee. Since 2011, the Whitford Charitable Fund has given over 1.1 million dollars to more than 60 local organizations in Chester County.

The Whitford Charitable Fund is a non-profit organization funded by the members of the Whitford Country Club, providing the members with an opportunity to give something back to non-profit organizations in Chester County.

Honorary Chair Dick Vermeil, Super Bowl winning coach and 2022 NFL Hall of Fame Inductee, will preside over the event, which will take place from September 23-25, 2022. Stay tuned for more exciting information about this event and ways for you to get involved.

GVCO Community Yard Sale

GVCO Community Center; 51 N.Bacton Hill Rd, Malvern

• Yard spots for rental
• Food, drink and activities
• Sponsorship and vendor opportunities available
• No rain date - sign-ups will be refunded

Caring Hands Scholarship

GVCO Caring Hands Advisory Board established an annual scholarship to be awarded to a Senior high school student living in the Great Valley School District. This student should exemplify the values of the Caring Hands organization through their volunteerism, leadership, and community service.

In prior years, this award was named in honor of Ally Perkins, a much-loved member of the GVHS Class of 2008 who passed away in 2007. GVCO has awarded 11 prior scholarships in Ally’s name.

This year we have two outstanding candidates who are equally deserving. Thus, the Caring Hands Advisory Board has decided to award two $1000 scholarships this year to Julia Dill and Caroline Getz.

Julia Dill has been an active participant and leader in the Caring Hands organization for 4 years. She served as Vice President in 11th grade. She was actively involved in the GVCO Fall Festivals, Steps 4 Hope 5k run, the Holiday Tent sale and Christmas gift wrapping for senior citizens.

Caroline Getz has been part of Caring Hands organization for 4 years. She served as Secretary/Junior leader in 10th grade and Vice President during her Junior year.

Caroline was actively involved in People’s Pantry Food Drive, Step 4 Hope 5K run, Cradles 2 Crayons, planting flowers for senior citizens. She also helped wrap holiday gifts for Senior Citizens and participated in the Saint Gobain Earth Day Garden.

We would like to thank Caroline and Julia for their service, hard work and leadership. Congratulations to them both.

Over 1,000 lbs. of Food Donated by Caring Hands Volunteers! Thank you to everyone who helped make our GVCO Caring Hands Food Drive a HUGE success!! The People's Pantry was thrilled to receive the tremendous amount of groceries donated by our Caring Hands group. 1,025 lbs of groceries were delivered on Friday. As some local Great Valley residents continue to struggle with making ends meet and simply getting food on the table for their families, this amazing show of support for those right here at home is heart warming. For those of you who may have missed the drop off, we will try and work out a collection for next week sometime. Stay tuned. Looking Ahead to the 2022-2023 School Year All current and new members should sign up for the 2022-2023 Caring Hands email list. Caring Hands newsletters and event updates will be sent via Constant Contact to the submitted email address(es) for both parent and student. A Big Success at the SPCA Walk 4 Paws Let's hear it for both the group of people who baked treats for the Splish-splash event sponsored by the Brandywine Valley SPCA on Saturday...and especially our 2 "Troopers" who volunteered and braved the elements this past weekend...Sandy and Casey! Stunning news...THEY RAISED OVER $500 from the bake sale!! Imagine if it was a nice day!!!

GVCO Caring Hands Donation During the pandemic, GVCO Caring Hands has committed $1,000 per month to individuals and organizations in the community. Will you help us? Donate to GVCO Caring Hands

Caring Hands Helping Local Families

"For several years Caring Hands of GVCO has contributed generously to Great Valley students and families in need in a variety of ways. They donated thousands of dollars in gift cards for groceries and children’s holiday gifts and even helped families pay bills during especially difficult times. They have come through when it seemed all hope was lost. Caring Hands seems to always be there for the Great Valley community." ~ Krista Russell, Great Valley School District Social Worker

Caring Hands Newsletters

2021-22 School Year Newsletters:
7/26/21, 8/20/21, 9/5/21, 9/13/21, 9/28/21, 10/8/21, 10/20/21, 11/5/21, 11/17/21, 12/1/21, 1/11/22, 1/28/22, 2/17/22, 3/14/22, 3/24/22, 4/6/22, 4/7/22, 4/12/22, 4/18/22, 4/21/22, 5/9/22, 5/12/22, 6/1/22

Community Program Newsletters can be found on the GVCO Newsletters page.