OUR TEAM
4 SEASON GIVING TREE is made possible with the tireless support of amazing volunteers who have contributed and built this organization.
lauren laimon, president/founder
In 2017, Lauren Laimon learned that the teachers and school counselor at her daughters' school were using their own money to help kids in their classrooms who lacked basic essentials. Jumping into action, Lauren began reaching out to people in the community, asking for donations of gently-used clothes, toys, and furniture that local children (and their families) had outgrown.
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Lauren soon learned that the needs of the community were even greater than she had imagined. So she founded the 4 SEASON GIVING TREE and quickly became the local epicenter of pairing families in need and families with goods to donate. Honing her outreach methods, Lauren now works in close collaboration with school counselors, teachers, and PTA members to identify local families lacking basic supplies.
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Lauren then created a targeted initiative under the 4 SEASONS GIVING TREE Holiday Support Program, matching families with immediate needs with community groups—church groups, neighborhoods, condo associations, book clubs, Girl/Boy Scouts, etc.—that supply new toys, clothing, and other items during the holiday season.
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Lauren continues to launch new programs to meet the ongoing needs of every local family she has served by matching giving families to families in need, with a focus on upcycling gently used clothing and toys throughout the year.
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In addition to her role as a wife and a mother of two, Lauren holds a full-time job. Her work with 4 SEASON GIVING TREE is done entirely on the side— during evenings and weekends—all in an effort to help better the community.
The intent of this program is to fulfill ongoing needs that disadvantaged families have throughout the year.
Lauren Laimon
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
jason alexander,
director
Jason is the founder and CEO of Travel Resolved, an online resource for people who enjoy traveling but don’t have the time to research and plan trips for themselves. Prior to starting his company in January of 2020, he practiced law for nearly 10 years with a focus on employee and consumer benefits. Jason is originally from Indiana, and he has a B.S. in Business Economics & Public Policy from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. In 2006, he relocated to Washington, D.C. to attend The George Washington University Law School, from which he graduated with honors in 2009. Today, Jason lives in Gaithersburg, MD, with his wife, young son, and an incredibly outgoing German Shepherd mix. His family is expecting two new members (twins!) to arrive by the end of 2021. In his spare time, Jason enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, and traveling. He also enjoys volunteering in his community and is particularly passionate about causes related to basic needs, including housing and food security.
lori butler, director/treasurer
Lori is assistant general counsel at a federal government agency where she focuses on bankruptcy, commercial litigation, and Title IV matters. Prior to working for the government, Lori was in private practice for 15+ years. Lori has served on the Wootton High School Ice Hockey Club Board of Directors and the Yuma Youth Hockey League Board of Directors. Lori is married, has two sons, and lives in Gaithersburg.
SELVI CLARK,
DIRECTOR
Selvi is a thought-leader in management consulting and has supported key national nonprofit organizations in developing strategic plans, improving customer experience, and standing up for new organizations. She has 23 years of experience consulting with commercial and federal government clients at PwC Consulting and at Booz Allen Hamilton. Selvi is currently leading pro-bono projects for the Kennedy Center, the NIH Children’s Inn, and Children’s National Hospital. She holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University in Operations Management, Strategy, and Quantitative Methods and a BS from the University of Maryland in International Business and Spanish. Selvi serves on the Board of Directors for two other non-profits, Black Girl Ventures (BGV), a chapter-led national non-profit empowering black and brown female entrepreneurs with access to capital, and Compass Pro-Bono Consulting serving the broader nonprofit community. Selvi is a mom of two girls, Rehya and Naiya, and their dog Shay.
sherry rubin, director, secretary
Sherry has lived in the Gaithersburg area all her life and works as a Media Assistant at Rachel Carson ES. Sherry runs a yoga business called Stretch Yourself Yoga. In her "spare time," she is raising two teenage boys. Sherry works in the distribution of furniture to the local community through 4 SEASON GIVING TREE.
LORI O'KEEFE
PARTNERSHIP chair
Lori has served as a volunteer, chairperson and board member for several organizations in the Gaithersburg area over many years. She loves getting involved with organizations that have a direct impact in the local community. Lori holds a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University. She worked in the construction and engineering industries and established a construction consulting firm prior to relocating to the national capital region. She is currently a stay-at-home mom who resides in North Potomac with her husband, the youngest of their four children, and their two dogs, Bear and Ollie. In her spare time, Lori enjoys traveling, visiting her adult children, and home and garden improvement projects with a particular interest in decorating and furniture restoration. She looks forward to being a part of the 4 Season Giving Tree team and supporting the other team members as the needs of the organization continue to grow.
Jaimee cutwright,
leader, frederick chapteR
Jaimee is a healthcare transformation advocate, assisting hospitals in creating purposeful experiences for individuals, families and providers through data intelligence. She has worked as a health and wellness educator, quality improvement leader and entrepreneur. Jaimee has also served as a volunteer and regional leader for non-profit organizations that serve the local communities. She is passionate about wellness equity, especially for women and children of underserved and underrepresented populations. Jaimee consistently strives towards making a positive impact in the world and has the help and support of her fiancé and their four children.
David Elhawa,
furniture support liaison/
local mover
David Elhawa works for the local government but also runs a local moving/hauling service in the area. Over the past year, he has provided countless families with furniture donations, including mattresses for multiple families that did not have these necessities and were sleeping on the floor. On a weekly basis, he continues to donate furniture to the local families and has been an immense support to the community. In return, the families are deeply grateful for all of the furnishings and support that he delivers to them. David lives in Gaithersburg with his wife and 4-year-old son.
To learn about David's history with our organization, click here.
ERICA TAPPIS,
community LiaisoN
Erica Tappis is a professional photographer and small business owner based in Montgomery County, MD and an active volunteer in the local community. Erica currently serves as the PTA President for Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (TMES), the TMES Community Outreach Chair and as a troop leader for a group of brilliant and active Girl Scouts representing three local schools. Through her work and volunteer efforts, Erica has fostered a wide network of relationships with families, small businesses, MCPS school leadership, donors, fellow PTA boards and non-profit organizations. Her passion is connecting people and helping others.
melissa peterson,
Gift card chair
Melissa is a Senior Marketing Manager at a large international law firm with more than 15 years of experience in business development, event strategy, and corporate identity. She holds an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and recently completed a program on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through the University of South Florida. Melissa and her husband live in the Kentlands. The proud pet mom of two dogs and two horses, she spends most of her free time outdoors.
VOLUNTEER CHAIRS AND LIAISONS
ANNA ROSS,
CLARKSBURG CHAPTER LEAD
Anna Ross is a senior at Seneca Valley High School and in the early college program for Elementary and Special Education at Montgomery College. She is excited to be working with 4 Season Giving Tree and helping out the community.
AVA laimon,
good counsel chapter lead
Ava Laimon is a freshman at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. She is currently in the STEM/Engineering Program. She loves to travel to new places, enjoys playing soccer and looks forward to further expanding the reach of the 4 Season Giving Tree program.
HIGH SCHOOL
SERVICE PROJECTS
HIgh school service projects are available to students at Good Counsel High School. Each project is aimed to assist disadvantaged students located in Montgomery County Public Schools with such items as snack pantries, hygiene closets, etc. The student will work to fulfill needs through their social media and coordinate drop-off at Good Counsel.
Please contact 4seasongivingtree@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in a service project.
VOLUNTEER CHAIRS AND LIAISONS
JACKIE SILVERMAN
special engagement CHAIR
Jackie Silverman is a Pittsburgh native who’s been living in Montgomery County for over 40 years. She and her husband (who is her high school sweetheart) raised their two boys in North Potomac. Jackie does floral design for a DC restaurant and spends a great deal of time with the family she has been matched with through 4 Season Giving Tree. Jackie and her husband recently moved to Bethesda to be closer to their sons and their families.
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“I am thrilled to be volunteering with Lauren,” Jackie says. “I have met some lovely families in the past year.”
amy carroll,
graphic designer/
creative chair
Amy is a graphic designer and writer (abc write/design) who has worked with local, regional, and national companies for over three decades. As a freelancer, she was the lead designer for Discovery, Inc.’s Continuing Medical Education division, creating print, digital, and packaging campaigns in partnership with Ford Motor Company, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and many large pharmaceutical companies. Amy has worked with the team at Bethesda Magazine since its inception over 15 years ago, creating print and digital ads for many of the magazine’s clients. In 2020, she became a partner with Wix, the website building platform, creating and redesigning websites for a multitude of clients across the country. Amy is also an abstract artist (The Abstract Spot) and has created artwork for both residential and commercial clients. Amy holds a B.A. in writing and graphic design from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.A. in journalism and marketing from the University of Maryland.
