I would like to take the opportunity in this month’s Tennis Shorts to express some reflections aloud about two very special members of the AAYTE community.  Sibby and Bob Brasler have been sharing their wisdom, time, wealth, and energy with this organization for nearly three decades.  Let me share some of the reasons we have chosen to honor Sibby and Bob at this year’s “Brunch is Served” event on December 4, 2011.

Bob Brasler is a member of our advisory board and former governing board member of 29 years.  He is an active member of the Facilities Committee and spearheaded our conversion to more energy efficient lighting in our indoor courts and the installation of solar panels, both of which decrease the carbon footprint of our Center significantly and allow us to redirect much needed dollars to our programming.  The solar panel project took 18 months from start to finish to assemble the financing and business partners needed to make it a reality.  It would not have been possible without Bob’s leadership and persistence.  Over five years ago, when our Center was being built, Artis Ore and Bob co-chaired the Building Committee which oversaw all of the site selection, design, construction, and vendor relationships.  Bob and Artis contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to managing this work to ensure that our Center would be extraordinary and would provide a magical experience for Philadelphia’s young people.

During our Annual Meeting on September 20th,  Jim Fernberger, vice-chair of the AAYTE board, said it best when he opined that “the Braslers’ soul is in this organization and the Center.”  Jim is right.  Sibby and Bob have been passionate advocates and supporters of our mission and programs.  They have done so by always putting the children first and never wanting any accolades or applause.  Here is a quick snapshot of their respective contributions to our organization and to civil society more broadly.

Sibby Brasler has been the coordinator of our Annual Benefit for 18 years.  She leads the committee of dedicated volunteers, and has made this event one of the largest, most well-regarded, profitable and popular nonprofit galas in the region.  Each year, the Benefit features over 400 silent auction items and 5-8 outstanding live auction items.  The program blends fun, sentiment, impeccable style, and always centers around our young people.  Over and above making the Annual Benefit the success that it is, Sibby advises the staff and board team year ’round on many other events and activities.

Our organization is not the only one that gets the benefit of Sibby’s time and energy.  In addition to her event planning business, she is active with many other nonprofit organizations such as The Philadelphia Orchestra, The National Organization for Hearing Research, and the Do-Gooders.   She is an emeritus and over thirty year board member of Drexel University, and an avid tennis player at the Germantown Cricket Club.  She is deeply passionate about the programs and mission of AAYTE.  Without a doubt, Sibby is the most energetic, optimistic, and selfless person in our organization.  We would have been thrilled to honor Sibby and Bob at the 29th Annual Benefit on April 27, 2012, but Sibby’s humility combined with her significant involvement in the planning and execution of that event prevent her from allowing us to do so.

In addition to his service at AAYTE, Bob is an emeritus and over thirty year member of the Board of Dickinson College and was selected as one of its 25 most influential alumni. He was a Board Member and Founding President and CEO of the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall. He is an avid tennis player and rower.  He recently turned 75 and during a four-day birthday extravaganza, he celebrated with scores of family and friends with his singing, good humor, and warmth.  He is an active member of the real estate community as Principal of Brasler Properties, founded in 1917, which he runs with his son, Chris and which has created over 1,000 new jobs in industrial projects in recent years.  For these and other accomplishments, Bob is a Legacy Circle Member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors.

Non-profits cannot thrive without having people who wake up everyday thinking about how they can put more wind into the organization’s sails. There is no husband and wife team that has done more for the development of this organization over the past three decades than Sibby and Bob.  They have supported us with hard work, technical expertise, financial contributions, and bringing literally hundreds of individuals into the organization.  Sibby and Bob are wonderful friends and mentors to many members of the staff team, including me.  I hope you will join us on December 4th for “Brunch is Served” at the Center when we pay tribute to our magnificent friends and colleagues, Sibby and Bob Brasler.