State Wireless Associations Spread Holiday Cheer with Charity Donations at Social Events

State wireless associations across the country celebrated the holiday season during the past months by gathering for holiday socials and giving back to charities that serve their communities.

More than 175 people attended the Carolinas Wireless Association Annual Holiday Social Nov. 29 at the Angus Barn Pavilion in Raleigh, N.C. The Grant Osborne Trio provided musical entertainment and the atmosphere resembled the North Pole, according to Inside Towers. Attendees donated to Toys for Tots and members of the Marines were on hand to collect the toys. NB+C was the main event sponsor.

The Marines also stopped by to pick up toy donations at the Maryland DC Wireless Association Holiday Social, which took place Dec. 5 at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House in Halethorpe, Md. More than 200 people were in attendance and approximately 500 toys were collected for Toys for Tots. “The Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House proved to be a fantastic venue,” said MDDCWA Board Member Jeremy Talman. Several companies sponsored the event. Thanks to the generosity of members and sponsors, MDDCWA donated $50,000 to local and national charities in 2018.

Members of the Virginia Wireless Association donated toys to Mason’s Toy Box, a local charity in central Virginia devoted to improving the lives of children battling childhood cancer and life-threatening illnesses and their families battling alongside them. The event took place Dec. 11 at McCormack’s Big Whisky Grill in Richmond, Va., a venue famous for serving more than 2,000 different types of whisky. Board Member Michael Harvey channeled Buddy the Elf for the party, and Santa stopped by to add holiday cheer and take a few pictures with attendees, who also had the opportunity to bid for prizes in a raffle. In the giving spirit of the holidays, many raffle winners donated their prizes to Mason’s Toy Box. NB+C was the main event sponsor.

The New Jersey Wireless Association held its holiday social in conjunction with an educational event Nov. 14 at Harrah’s Convention Center in Atlantic City. Both events were very successful, with about 400 members turning out for the social, which featured music by The Band Plan. Thanks to the generosity of its members and sponsors, the association donated $15,000 each to Covenant House, which provides housing and supportive services to youth facing homelessness, and Market Street Mission, which provides meals and shelter for homeless people in New Jersey. Several companies sponsored the event.

More than 350 people attended the New York State Wireless Association holiday party Dec. 13 at the Ukrainian Institute of America. Attendees were treated to music by The Band Plan, a group made up mostly of wireless professionals, including Jonathan Adelstein, President and CEO of WIA, and incoming NYSWA President Tom Marciano, of InRange, rocking all three floors of the institute. Chris Fisher was honored as the outgoing President of the association with the President’s award and David Bronston was honored earlier that day for his contributions as Secretary of the board. AMP was the main event sponsor. Kevin Kennedy, President of Warriors4Wireless, was presented with a check for $5,000 at the event from sponsors Invertice and ExteNet. Each attendee was given a gift of a Bluetooth portable speaker by ANS.

On the West Coast, members of the Northwest Wireless Association gathered Dec. 13 at Living Computers Museum + Labs in Seattle for its 2018 Holiday Party. More than 300 toys were donated to Toys for Tots along with a $150 donation. T-Mobile was the main event sponsor.

The California Wireless Association hosted two holiday parties. The Northern California event was held at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon and held in conjunction with an educational event featuring speaker Jill A. Springer, Federal Preservation Officer, Competition and Infrastructure Policy Division of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. About 75 people attended the event, which was as sponsored exclusively by Caldwell Compliance. The association’s Southern California event was held at Twenty Eight Restaurant & Bar in Irvine. All guests were asked to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. About 125 people attended and enjoyed drinks, appetizers, networking and live music. The main sponsors of the event were the National Association of Tower Erectors and Phoenix Tower International.

“Our state wireless associations work hard to provide many wonderful networking and educational events throughout the year for their members,” said Ashley Jackson, Manager of Member Services Operations for the Wireless Infrastructure Association. “These holiday social events are a great way for members to gather, socialize and have fun while also supporting local charities that make a difference in their communities. Thanks to all of the companies that make these events possible by sponsoring them throughout the year.”