Philadelphia Chapter Celebrates And Remembers
Pictured: John P. O'Donnell with granddaughter Sierra Fly
The holiday season is the time for NAFA's chapters to celebrate the year gone by, to look forward to a promising new year, and to remember those who could not be with us. The Philadelphia Chapter did all three on December 3 at the annual holiday luncheon.
Held at Maggiano's Little Italy in King of Prussia, attendees networked, ate great food, and learned about What's New at NAFA from Deputy Executive Director Patrick McCarren. With his PowerPoint presentation, McCarren informed guests of what NAFA brings to its members, like expanded in-person and virtual education opportunities, valuable resources, NAFA-developed fleet professional guides, NAFA's strong presence for fleet advocacy with legislative counsel in Washington D.C. and Ontario, Canada, and much more.
McCarren closed the presentation with a glimpse of what is ahead for the Association in 2014 including a focus on NAFA's chapters, increased visibility through the Beyond Fleet program and, of course, the 2014 I&E in Minneapolis, MN, April 8-11.
Yet there was a bittersweet side of the get-together as well as Philadelphia Chapter members took time to remember Club NAFA alum John "Jack" O'Donnell, who passed away August 7 of this year. O'Donnell, formerly of pharmaceutical company Wyeth, was a longtime Philadelphia Chapter member.
Frequently, chapter holiday meals also raise money for worthy causes and charities, so in light of O'Donnell's passing, funds were raised for the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation. O'Donnell's granddaughter Sierra Fly has this condition, a genetic syndrome caused by disruption of a gene which produces protein required for the brain, heart, kidney, and other organs. Its most important role is in the brain and is involved in processes crucial for learning and memory. Defects of the gene are highly associated with autism.
NAFA members graciously donated $1,000 to the Foundation in memory of O'Donnell. If you would also like to contribute to this cause, you can find out more about the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation at their website: www.22Q13.org