Santa Claus Visits The Phoenix Center

On Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, The Phoenix Center’s Co-Founder, Dr. Geraldine Gibbia and husband Kevin Gaynor dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus and delivered donated Holiday gifts to The Phoenix Center’s 143 students. Modera, a financial planning and wealth management firm based in Westwood, NJ, donated 50 of these gifts and joined in the gift- giving festivities at the school.

The remainder of the gifts were donated by New York City-based UBS and Jersey City-based Tradeweb.

Modera’s CEO, Principal and Wealth Manager Tom Orecchio said, “We first learned about The Phoenix Center through a long-time friend of Modera, Andy Rovegno, who serves on the school’s Board of Directors. We were looking for an opportunity to support a local charity that has continued to impact our greater community. It seemed like a natural extension of our firm’s commitment to philanthropy and how we view the holiday season - as a time for giving back, especially to children and their families who experience so many challenges. Through Andy, we learned that The Phoenix Center is an amazing organization, dedicated and passionate about preparing children on the autism spectrum and those with disabilities for life outside the classroom.

So, earlier this month, Modera staff members volunteered to shop and donate holiday gifts for 50 students ranging from age 5 to 21. We also hosted an event where clients and friends joined staff in decorating gift bags, making handwritten cards and preparing gifts for delivery to the school. This is the second year we have brought our staff and clients together to serve a local nonprofit organization. We are honored to support them and will continue to explore ways to continue our involvement with The Phoenix Center,” Orecchio said.

Julie Mower, The Phoenix Center’s Executive Director, adds, “A special thank you goes to Tom and the entire Modera family for helping to make our students’ holiday so special! Thank you also to Michael Gibney, Heather Govic, as well as Robert Dowling, Matthew Stack and Mindy Cleaveland from Modera who came to The Phoenix Center to help us spread joy. The holiday spirit was certainly felt by all.”

About The Phoenix Center

The Phoenix Center is an accredited, not-for-profit school serving the educational, behavioral & therapeutic needs of students ages 5-21 with autism, multiple disabilities and intellectual disabilities. Our customized evidence-based programs developed for each student—are anchored by a hands-on, real-life community-based instruction model.

Photo Caption Santa: Kevin Gaynor, formerly of The Phoenix Center, Robert Dowling, CFP®, Wealth Manager at Modera Wealth Management; Andrew Rovegno, Board Member, The Phoenix Center; Julie Mower, Executive Director, The Phoenix Center; Matthew Stack, CFP®, Financial Advisor at Modera Wealth Management; Heather Govic, Client Service Associate at Modera Wealth Management; Mindy Cleaveland, CFP®, Senior Financial Advisor at Modera Wealth Management; and Dr. Geraldine Gibbia, Co-Founder of The Phoenix Center.