Voices of VU PHL: Meet Kelsey Curlen!
Kelsey Curlen, our amazing Director of Fundraising!
Happy Merry Christmakwanzakah, VU Crew! As we celebrate this season of giving, take a minute to meet Kelsey Curlen - our Director of Fundraising and a serious foodie :) Read on to learn more about how Kelsey became involved with VU PHL and why donating time can be just as impactful as donating money. Also, don’t miss Kelsey’s recommendation for some amazing tacos in Northern Liberties…
How did you get involved in VU PHL?
I read about VU PHL online and attended my first event in 2017. It was a beautiful day and we cleaned up and painted a school playground in South Philly. I was surprised at how friendly everyone was and how well I became integrated in the group, but I also loved the sense of fulfillment I had afterward.
Fast forward two years, and I now serve as the director of fundraising. Guess they’re stuck with me now. :-)
What is your favorite part of volunteering with VU PHL?
My favorite part of volunteering has to be seeing the difference we make for our city and the people in it. The non profits we work with are always taken aback by the amount of work we can accomplish, and everyone on the receiving end of our events are always so, so grateful. There’s really no better feeling!
Why is giving back so important to you?
I have lived in Philadelphia for a little over five years now, and I love this city more than I can express. For being so large, we are such a tight-knit, progressive community, and I feel so at home here. However, there are a lot of people and organizations in this city that are in serious need. Philly has given me so much, and it’s so important for me to give back to my community.
What advice do you have for young Philadelphians looking to get more involved in the community?
I think that sometimes people automatically relate “charity” and “volunteerism” with donating money - I know that I did. And as a young professional in Philly, donating wasn’t always feasible for me. But truthfully, it makes just as much of an impact to donate your time, and I would recommend young Philadelphians research great organizations such as VU to become more involved.
Can you give us a recap of our November event at MANNA?
Our group split into two for the November event: one group of around 35 did park clean up in Rittenhouse, and another group of about 30 (where I was) volunteered with MANNA. We killed it at MANNA - we boxed a ton of pies, packaged a lot of different foods, unloaded a freezer and prepped the food from it, and more! All while rocking out to some sweet 80’s jams.
Lastly, what’s your go-to restaurant in Philly?
As a serious foodie, it’s super difficult for me to pick just one!! But since you can never go wrong with tacos/burritos, I’d have to say Dos Segundos in NoLibs is one of my go-to places. They have banging guac, margarita pitchers, and tequila flights if you’re feeling really adventurous!