Spirit of Generosity Bonnie Eisner’s Hands-On Approach to Giving Back

      “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

This affirmation of altruism has been credited to everyone ranging from the 17th Century writer John Bunyon to the folklore hero Paul Bunyan and was later modified and adopted by legendary NCAA basketball coach, John Wooden. For longtime Project HOME volunteer and MPOWER partner Bonnie Eisner, however, the quote came to her by way of the late business leader and philanthropist, Lewis Katz.

“I was in a reading group led by my Rabbi,” shares Eisner. “Through that group, Lewis introduced me to not only this quote, but a book on stoicism. This quote resonated with me because I grew up in a family that volunteered in a hands-on way as our means of giving back.”  

Eisner’s mother, Roslyn, helped to start PARC Aide’s women’s group, an organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for supportive services for children with disabilities. Bonnie would organize PARC fundraisers at the local roller rink, while her sister, Mona, started a teenage group for children with disabilities at the Jardel Recreation Center. Her father, Bobby, volunteered at a stable that provided horseback riding lessons for children with disabilities.

“I’ve always felt one receives far more satisfaction from volunteering than those receiving your efforts,” shares Bonnie.

While Eisner had Katz to thank for the inspiring quote, her connection to Project HOME traces its way back to a running group and Charles Fishman and Project HOME’s first-ever 5K, the HOME Run, in 2001.  

“When I got to know Project HOME and Sister Mary, it was originally through running,” reflects Eisner. “What was clear from the start was that Sister Mary and Joan had created a sense of community where everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and kindness. It did not take me long to realize I wanted to do more.”

Following the HOME Run and a few other long distance runs with Sister Mary, Bonnie’s outlet to “do more” with Project HOME came through the residential art program.  

“Whether I was in the art room or running mosaic workshops at residences like Connelly House, it was always special for me to meet people as people and not their circumstances that may have led them to Project HOME,” shares Bonnie.  

It was from these recurring, hands-on volunteer opportunities that Bonnie came up with the idea for the “Artists for All Seasons” event. Thanks to a strong relationship forged with then-Drexel University president John A. Fry, Bonnie was able to secure an exclusive Project HOME resident art showcase at the URBN Center of Drexel University’s Antoinette College of Media Arts and Design.

“Yes, this was a great opportunity for Drexel and Project HOME to partner,” says Bonnie. “But more than that, it was a chance for Project HOME’s incredibly talented artists to showcase their talents to a larger audience.”

Bonnie and Jay have been involved with “Artists for All Seasons” from the beginning and since 2015 they have funded each event, leading to 20 Project HOME resident artists and community partners showing their artwork. Beyond the thrill of showing and selling artwork at “Artists for All Seasons” the showcase at Drexel has also led to Project HOME artists receiving invitations to additional showcases at leading fine art events like the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show and opportunities to take classes at Studio Incamminati.  

“The real gift is seeing each artists’ self-confidence bloom when they see their artwork professionally shown,” reflects Bonnie.

Bonnie’s gift to the Project HOME community, however, is best summed up by her former running partner.

“Bonnie’s brilliance,” shares Project HOME co-founder Sister Mary Scullion, “is found in her innate ability to forge authentic and lasting relationships across the Project HOME community. I have seen it in our residences, at the amazing Artists for All Seasons events, and living in the spirit of our work. Bonnie models what we mean when talk about Project HOME’s ‘Beloved Community. ’”