For the Greater Good

By: Stephanie Benney

I have to admit that when I was younger, I never really thought about charity or philanthropy.  Until around 5 years ago, I would have never thought that I would be so involved in the progressing the greater good for humankind.  Last year I had the amazing experience of being one of the Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest.  With the 2011 season just kicking off, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to reflect back on and share my experiences as a Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest.

Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that affects the lungs due to a defective gene, which produces a thick mucus, creating lung infections and difficulty breathing and swallowing.  It directly affects 70,000 people worldwide and there are 1,000 new cases diagnosed a year.

Sixteen years ago, the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis wanted to develop a program to increase their fundraising and awareness.  Cyndi Nace and countless other volunteers decided to seek out 50 of the top young, eligible professionals in the Pittsburgh area, who are successful in their careers, give back to the community and would work hard using their networks to raise much needed funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis in a fun and creative manner.  The “class’s” fundraising season would last roughly from March until August, closing with a lavish ball to honor and celebrate the efforts of the 50 nominees.

As I walked into Doc’s Place in Shadyside on an unusually humid day last April, I prepared myself to learn more about the commitment I was about to make and also to meet my fellow “classmates”.  We quickly began to get acquainted and chatter of teaming up for fundraising was already in the  air.  I was not very educated on Cystic Fibrosis, and up until this point I had not known anyone with the disease.  That evening, I listened to the success stories of the classes who preceded mine and their enthusiasm was astonishing.  However, it was not until a woman battling Cystic Fibrosis shared her story and talked about how grateful she was to “The 50 Finest” for extending her quality of life, that it really clicked for me.  I had finally made that personal connection; I was going to work as hard as I could to help other people suffering from Cystic Fibrosis.

For the following spring and summer months, I reached out to all of my contacts asking for donations of money and various items to be raffled off or auctioned off at my events.  Our class worked as a team and developed such a fellowship and bond.  We pushed each other and supported one another by advertising and attending each other’s fundraising events.  I had begun to feel completely blessed for receiving these amazing people as friends in my life, who are truly there to work towards the greater good.

The evening of our ball soon approached and the bittersweet tears filled the eyes of many.   As we stood dressed in our beautiful gowns and handsome tuxedos, we were introduced to all of Pittsburgh as the Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest class to raise the largest amount of money.  Our hard work and integrity had led us to raise over $260,000 for Cystic Fibrosis.  Our bond as friends is stronger than ever and we continue to raise money as a team for Cystic Fibrosis.  It is an amazing feeling to give back and help those who need us.  I am lucky to be a part of a group who see through the dark and into the light of this world.  To find out more information regarding Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest and Cystic Fibrosis, please visit the sites listed below.

2011 Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest Calendar of Events
www.pittsburgh50finest.blogspot.com

To donate to the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis
www.cff.org

Stephanie Benney is a “Sustainable Visionary” and also the new Pittsburgh Representative for Fuzed Marketing, where she helps companies increase their brand presence. stephaniebenney@yahoo.com