THANK YOU FOR MAKING BE A HERO, OUR 19th ANNUAL BENEFIT & CELEBRATION OUR BEST YET!
What a night of inspiration, warmth, and fellowship with a shared purpose: to empower girls in under-served Philadelphia neighborhoods to lead healthy, confident, and successful lives!
We came together and celebrated the progress and achievements of the past year, were inspired by our extraordinary Heroes of the Year, recognized outstanding volunteers and participants, and raised funds to grow our programs to impact more girls going forward.
Celebrating Jay Barry Harris Heroes of 2025:
Lauri Bender Koropey
Longtime board member Lauri, a successful accountant and committed community member, has supported Team Up Philly in every way possible. She came up with the idea to provide holiday gifts for each girl and recruited everyone she knew to help and it’s a lasting tradition. Lauri is a true giver who doesn’t measure what she gets back but gives because she can and believes she should. She thought about the opportunities that helped her own girls grow into successful, happy, giving women and made sure Team Up Philly girls get the same.
Lauri - We appreciate your “what can I do?”, “Let’s make it happen!” spirit, your wise counsel, and your willingness to do whatever it takes to provide the kind of opportunity to all girls that they deserve. For your longtime commitment to opening doors to girls who deserve the chance to fulfill their potential, you are a Jay Barry Harris Hero of the Year.
Coach Diane Richardson
There is so much we could say about Diane: about her inspirational path to success as the first in her family to graduate high school; her groundbreaking coaching career; how, when shut out of opportunities in the business sector, she earned her masters degrees in finance and accounting and started her own investment firm… but then we received this letter from a former player and knew this is what needed to be said:
““She poured into me not just as a player, but as a person, instilling in me a belief in my worth, my voice, and my potential, both on and off the court. She prepared me for the game and for life after the final buzzer. I will forever be grateful for the example Coach Rich set, the belief she had in me, and the investment she made in my journey. Because of her, I didn’t just become a better athlete; I became a better me.” ”
For her example of grit and determination, commitment to sharing her talents to inspire young women, and for changing so many lives through her hard work, tough standards, and her love, Coach Diane is a Jay Barry Harris Hero of the Year.
Our 2025 Outstanding Volunteers: Aria Fiorillo and Helen Potts
Aria and Helen volunteered in our weekly tutoring club at Friends’ Central throughout high school, serving as Club Leaders for the last two. They created Shark Tank competitions, art projects, science labs, nature walks, taught fractions, sat and read with girls, made learning fun, and listened, cared, and mentored - can you imagine a greater gift? For their dedication, creativity, and love, they were recognized as Team Up Philly’s Outstanding Volunteers.
Our 2025 Outstanding Participant: Shaianne Croker
We met Shaianne when she was in 2nd grade, starting more than a decade-long relationship of love and admiration. She joined every program we offered, worked hard, and became a junior coach. Shaianne is wise, extremely principled, with an uncompromising sense of right and wrong. She pushed through many challenges to become a leader and big sister figure to girls in Team Up Philly. For her courage, commitment to her own growth, example of making good decisions, and kindness towards others, Shaianne is our Outstanding Participant of 2025.
Our 2025 Rising Stars
It is a joy to work with Aziyah, Daiyuana, Kiara, Lola, Malaya, and Malayna. Voted by their coaches as Team Up Philly’s 2025 Rising Stars, they inspire us to make sure they have every opportunity to grow healthy, confident, and successful.
Special thanks to celebrated photographer Whitney Thomas, who donated his services and captured so many great moments!
We’d also like to thank our generous sponsors and donors who made our 19th annual Be A Hero Benefit & Celebration possible.
Our Amazing 2025 Sponsors:
Trailblazer:
Anonymous Donor
The Gish-Rockford Family
Joan C. Mazzotti & Michael Kelly
Game Changer:
Fourth Gate Homes LLC. / Barbara Binnis
Marc Siebert & Alan Schwartz
The Thal Family
Susan Thal & Ed Siebert
Timoney Knox Attorneys at Law
Advocate:
Anonymous Donor
Carlos Bradley Consulting Inc.
The Buckman Family
Friends of Team Up Philly
The Harris Family
Marian & Larry Pearlman
PHL Sports
SAK Associates Inc.
Ulrike Schunk & Phil Zuzelo
Our Amazing 2025 Auction and Raffle Donors:
American Nails, Aramark, Attention to Detail, Pat Bonney, Carlos Bradley, Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Beth & David Buckman, Julie Crowe, Emily DeSabato, Tony DeSabato, Exit 13 Gastrobar, Valarie & Major Everett, First Watch -Newtown Square, Barbara Fischer, Clare Fullerton, General Warren Inn, Elaine Gillison, Brooke Good, Great American Pub, Hairdresser & Co., Hand & Stone, Historic Philadelphia, Laura & Roman Koropey, Longwood Gardens, Love from Home, Margaret Kuo’s Kitchen, Meaghan Messner, Modern Image, My Kids Korner, Nolan Painting, Lynne Partridge, Marian & Larry Pearlman, Philadelphia Ballet, Philadelphia Eagles, Lowell Rich, Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft, Rock Hill Pizza, Carrie Gish Rockford, Ron Jaworski Golf, Sam’s Doghouse, Ulrike Shunk, Taylor Stokes, Tennis Junction, Susan Thal & Ed Siebert, The 1912 Club, The Greeks, The Hershey Company, The People’s Light, The Phillies, Cathy Mancuso Trexler, Warby Parker, Taylor Stokes, Yiasou Greek Market & Cafe, Pam & Don Yih
