The good Cornellians can do: Denise Law LaGalia ’91

In February 2020, Denise Law LaGalia '91 had just started a position for a company that specialized in healthcare marketing at airports. When the pandemic shut down airports across the country, Denise pivoted to spend more time on her volunteer work with the Allendale Woman’s Club (AWC), in Allendale, New Jersey.

In addition to the Turn the Towns Teal campaign, the AWC engages in a wide variety of philanthropic and community service activities. The AWC provides financial assistance and food to those in need and organizes fundraisers, including an annual fashion show, a townwide garage sale, and flower sales. Proceeds from these events support multiple local charities. As co-president of the club, Denise spearheads many of these signature events.

“I am a project-oriented person,” Denise says, “so I find great comfort in doing tasks that many members don’t like to do, such as planning large fundraising events or developing a new program.”

One new program that Denise has organized is a community speaker series. A recent talk focused on the book The Anxious Generation and on the impacts of a phone-based childhood. She says that this talk was especially well received and sparked many productive conversations among audience members.

“The AWC talks have been a great way to share information on important and relevant topics with our community,” she says.

Cornellians around the globe are sharing how they do good in communities big and small. Share your own story.