City Chicks 4 Charity began in a tiny apartment in the East Village in July, 2008. The idea was inspired by founder Renee Appelle, an eager and passionate young professional with fervor for helping others and creating new and exciting opportunities for other young professionals. Renee and her trend setting posse joined her to create what is now City Chicks 4 Charity.
Between working ridiculous hours, juggling crazy amounts of first dates and trying to find 5 minutes to squeeze in a visit to the gym, how does a young professional find time to give back to the community?
Answer: City Chicks 4 Charity.
CC4C understands the demands of being a young professional and aims to make it as easy as possible to volunteer while having fun and maybe even having a cocktail or two along the way.
Renee Appelle
Diana Blancone
Kristen Hulmes
Alicia Reinertsen
Adrienne Torman
Kristiana Tchir
Alyson Waldman
Margot Wilensky
What: President
Where: Originally I am from Bergen County in Northern New Jersey, but I currently live in lower Manhattan (I’m a Giants & Red Sox Fan- go figure)
Why: Living in city, working in sports media and being surrounded by amazing, supportive and fun friends & family, I wake up everyday feeling tremendously blessed. CC4C evolved from that feeling and is intended to be an outlet for all of us to get involved, give back and learn more about the city around us and the people that make this the most exciting and fascinating place to live.
Chick Bit: I can do nearly everything with my feet – drive, operate elevators, pick up loose change (in essence I have four hands!)
Contact Me: Renee@citychicks4charity.org
What: Director of Social Media
Where: My hometown is right over the George Washington Bridge in Jersey, but I currently live on the Lower East Side in Manhattan.
Why: My friends joke with me that I’m the most sociable person they’ve ever met and I wanted to find a fun outlet to leverage all my relationships both personally and professionally while helping others.
Chick Bit: I have a twin sister, love snowboarding and the Yankees.
Contact Me: Diana@citychicks4charity.org
What: Director of Web and Design
Where: I grew up in Montville, NJ, and I am too attached to leave the garden state!!
Why: Now that I recently relocated my job from Tribeca to NJ, I have been searching for a way still be involved in the city life. I love socializing and meeting new people so I knew this charity is the perfect solution to fill my NYC void and do something good for the community.
Chick Bit: I was the captian of my college field hockey team and I love to cook and bake especially for other people!
Contact Me: Kristen@citychicks4charity.org
What: Director of Membership
Where: Little Silver, NJ currently living Gramercy Park
Why: I work in commodities therefore I am lucky enough to have excellent work hours. So I was looking for a way to spend my extra time productively by giving back to others while still having fun socializing and meeting new people.
Chick Bit: I have recently taken my love for designer handbags and started my own line. Please check them out at VoxThreadHandbags.com
Contact Me: Alicia@citychicks4charity.org
What: Director of Support
Where: I grew up along the Jersey shore but I currently live on the Upper West Side.
Why: I’ve always wanted to be involved in different charity organizations but between a crazy work and life schedule, I can never make the full commitment most organizations require. I wanted an outlet where I would be able to give back to my community and meet people my age at the same time. I am so excited to be able to help those in need and to also be able to make life-long connections as well!
Chick Bit: I’m the worst driver ever. I have a lead foot and my dad calls me ’Crash’.
Contact Me: Adrienne@citychicks4charity.org
Who: Kristiana Tchir
What: Director of Internal Communications
Where: Grew up in Cedar Grove, NJ, spent a few years living in New York City, now I’m right across the river in Hoboken, NJ.
Why: With all of the amazing things this city has to offer us, it’s often challenging to not get overwhelmed in our own lives. CC4C is my reminder to keep perspective and be grateful for all that I have been blessed with in my life by giving back.
Chick Bit: I can usually get around in any country through my ability to speak Ukrainian and Italian fluently – some derivative of a word and/or pronunciation in one of these languages can typically score me directions or an item off the menu anywhere!
Contact Me: Kristiana@citychicks4charity.org
What: Director of Corporate Communications
Where: My hometown is Montclair, NJ but I currently live in Soho, right around the corner from Little Italy! (I love Italian food!)
Why: I am a former teacher and have always been interested in helping people. I jumped at the opportunity to become a part of City Chicks 4 Charity because it is something different from anything in which I have ever been involved. My girlfriends are very important to me and any chance I get to spend time with them and have a martini is welcomed! My involvement in CCFC is an added bonus in my life because I can meet other professional women, create new friendships and do something positive for my community.
Chick Bit: I can challenge anybody in the world to a speed walking race & come away the victor!
Contact Me: Aly@citychicks4charity.org
Who: Margot Wilensky
What: Legal Advisor
Where: I grew up in Upper Montclair, NJ and live in the west village.
Why: By day (and many nights) I’m a lawyer and helped start this group to make some difference in the lives of people around us. It’s amazing to work with your friends to create awareness of needs and to touch the lives of those around us.
Chick Bit: I’m oddly obsessed with spring, and I am a pickle connoisseur.
Contact Me: Margot@citychicks4charity.org
