Meet Our 2021 Drive-In Gala Champions
Our Emily’s Entourage (EE) Champions program celebrates philanthropic leaders who are helping EE speed lifesaving breakthroughs and a cure for people with nonsense mutations of cystic fibrosis (CF). This year, in celebration of our 10th anniversary, we put out a call to our community to make our drive-in gala “Champions” fundraiser one to remember — and, boy, did they deliver!
From a student in Paris who discovered EE on YouTube to a 1.5-year-old overachiever … this year’s Champions were truly remarkable in every way. We had mahjong players, new parents, teachers, bakers, and a few of our co-founder, Emily Kramer-Golinkoff’s, closest childhood and college friends. Collectively, the group went above and beyond to raise more than $32,000 (and counting!!). WOW. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it!!
Read on to learn more about our superstar fundraisers, and click to donate to their campaigns before they officially close on Dec. 31, 2021!
Who’s on the team?
Team Seeking a Cure is composed of Emily’s best friends from college: “I met Emily the second day of freshman year at Penn!” – Julie
EE connection
“As a superfan of Emily and the KG family since 2004, it has been a pleasure to watch them grow EE from the ground up!” – Amy
“I’ve been an EE supporter from the start!” – Marissa
Claim to fame
“I have been a member of the Entourage well before we had an official name, 501(c)3, and cool swag.” – Beth
Why EE?
“I’m honored to be part of the EE team fighting to find fast breakthroughs.” – Michelle
Fun fact
This team is raising the next generation of Entourage superfans with over a dozen kids, nieces, nephews, and even a great-nephew between them! “I’m a twin mom (just like Liza!).” – Ariel
We were proud to name Team Seeking A Cure our 2021 “Champion of the Year” at our 10th annual Evening with Emily’s Entourage drive-in gala in recognition of their successful campaign, which raised more than $14,000 to speed breakthroughs and a cure for CF!
Donate to Team Seeking a Cure’s campaign
Who’s on the team?
Jessica Rutstein Lazarus and her best friends from college (go George Washington University!).
EE connection
Jessica has been Emily’s best friend since middle school and is a founding board member of EE!
Claim to fame
“I’ve been fortunate to be involved with EE from the very first email we sent out.” – Jessica
Why EE?
“My best friends from college, who have all gotten to know Emily and spend time with her over many years, are so incredibly supportive of EE!”
Donate to The Crazy Colonials’ campaign
Who’s on the team?
Team Dinges is composed of EE board member Nick and his nephews, Leon and Owen.
EE connection
Nick is a longtime friend of Emily’s (they went to middle school, high school, and college together!). He is a devoted uncle and invited his nephews to join his team!
Claim to fame
“We plan on whoopin’ CF!” – Nick
Fun fact
Leon and Owen have two pet pigs!
Donate to Team Dinges’ campaign
Who’s on the team?
Emily’s cousins Sam, Hannah, and Nina.
EE connection
These family members have helped EE grow from the very beginning.
Why EE?
“EE and finding a cure for CF is very close to my heart.” – Nina
Fun fact
Hannah got a pandemic puppy!
Donate to Kramers vs. CF’s campaign
This team was sponsored by Adath Jeshurun and Beth Sholom in Elkins Park.
Fast stats
They are the two-time reigning USY Chapter of the Year and won the USY International Award for Social Action.
EE connection
“Our advisor, Larry Kaplan, introduced us to EE!”
Claim to fame
“We had a blast volunteering at the EE gala in 2019!”
Donate to OYR USY Teens’ campaign
Constance Besnier
“I’m a Frenchie in Philly, living the American dream. I used to work with Julia, Emily’s sister, and got to know the EE family remotely. I really wanted to join and be part of this amazing organization.”
Donate to Constance’s campaign
Paula and Demi Dziura
“I am the mother to my EE Champion partner — my daughter, Demi Dziura. My brother, Rob Barg, introduced me to Emily and there was no turning away from Emily’s charismatic personality … I knew I wanted to be part of it!”
Donate to Paula and Demi’s campaign
Chloé Plissonneau-Duquène
“I’m a student in English Studies in Paris. I met EE watching a YouTube video in November 2016 … five years, four Champions campaigns, a lot of emails, and a trip to Philly later, I’m EE’s biggest fan from across the ocean!”
Lynne Savran and daughter-in-law, Rachel Berger
I have been a committee member of Emily’s Entourage since 2012 and it remains my favorite organization to be involved with. I will be here until we find a cure for all cystic fibrosis patients with nonsense mutations.”
Donate to Lynne and Rachel’s campaign
Cathy Steinberg
“Emily’s Entourage is what it is because of the people in it — the movers, shakers, and dreamers who give anything from one hour to one-thousand hours to work tirelessly towards a cure. It’s easy to pinpoint what everyone has in common: they’re people who see an obstacle and don’t think, ‘That wall is too high,’ but instead think, ‘How fast can I break through it?’”
Meg and Doug Young
“I grew up in the house across the street from the K-Gs in Bala Cynwyd, they are the most amazing family and we were on board from the start!”
Donate to Doug and Meg’s campaign
