Eastern Bergen County, NJ -- The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County announces the appointment of five new members to the Board of Managers. The nonprofit agency, serving people in need in eastern Bergen County, welcomes these active members of the community to guide the organization in helping our neighbors encountering critical issues of food insecurity, homelessness, health and mental health, educational enhancement/college career preparation and home care.

These new trustees will serve a three-year term, working with the organization to carry out its mission and the motto, Neighbors Helping Neighbors. As part of their tenure, the following new trustees participate on at least one Board of Manager's committee:

-- Karin Erdtmann, a community volunteer from Tenafly, serves on the Allocations, Development, and Gala Committees. Previously, she volunteered on the Gala Committee.

-- Phyllis Kesslen, a career counselor and a community volunteer, serves on the Allocations, Program, and Education Committees. Previously, she volunteered on the Gala Committee.

-- Lee Michelson, a community volunteer and a retired nonprofit administrator from California currently living in Englewood, serves on the organization’s Allocation, Development, Executive, Governance, and Program Committees.

-- Violet Sudol, a technology consultant in New York City, serves on the Development, Marketing, Program, and Gala Committees. Previously, she volunteered on the Gala Committee.

-- Dekyi Tsotsong, a strategy consultant from Hasbrouck Heights and a former intern with The Community Chest, serves on the organization’s Allocations, Finance and the Young Women’s Leadership Committees.

“For 92 years, The Community Chest has identified issues and led the way to find solutions through critical times, since its founding during the Great Depression. These new members of the Board of Managers bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, talent and experience in the community to identify solutions to serious issues our neighbors face. They will help to govern the organization and carry out its mission and work," said Executive Director Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer.

The Community Chest's Board of Managers is comprised of 24 community leaders. They are dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors in need in the organization’s service area in these 15 municipalities in eastern Bergen County: Alpine, Bergenfield, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh and Tenafly.

For further information about The Community Chest, contact Executive Director Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474.