The 13th Annual Garden Luncheon will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Malvern, PA.

Guest Speaker: Catherine Renzi

Gardening Topic: American Idols: Native Plants to Love!

Catherine Renzi is passionate about native plants. A former architectural and gift product designer, Catherine and her husband, Al, now design striking landscapes that support biodiversity and create habitats for wildlife.  Together, they propagate, grow and sell unique and hard to find native plants at Yellow Springs Farm in Chester Springs, PA.

A silent auction filled with a variety of spring themed items will also be featured.  For a preview of the silent auction items to be displayed and sold at the garden luncheon click on this link:  silent auction listing.

Your attendance at this event offers new hope to homeless mothers and their children! As you will see from the 2011 photos, this day begins and ends with rays of hope for single mothers and their children. For more information about the Garden Luncheon or to print reservation information click on invitation or on RSVP.

Sponsors

The spirit of generosity is alive through these sponsors!

LEAD SPONSOR

• Bentley Systems, Inc.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

• Jonathan & Diane Corle
• Patrick & Rebecca Cuff
• Mark & Karene Zimmerman

GOLD SPONSORS

• First Niagara Bank
• Fox Rothschild LLP
• Gawthrop Greenwood, PC
• Connie Happersett
• James Spring and Wire Co.
• Aldus & Judy King
• Nathan & Melba King
• Tycor Benefit Administrators, Inc.

SILVER SPONSORS

• Dr. Jack Bryer
• Christiana Cabinetry
• Conestoga Group, Inc.
• Dr. Harley & Kate Kooker
• Moccasin Run Golf Club
• Beth Peazzoni
• Summers & Zim’s, Inc.
• Transfers of Learning, LLC

Purchase tickets to see Lancaster Barnstormers meet the Sugarland Skeeters and, at the same time, you can provide much needed funding to help women and children experiencing homelessness.

A Winter Festival of Hope gave everyone a chance to enjoy good food, good company, fun games and some silliness too! We are grateful for the more than 125 amazing volunteers who contribute their time and creative energy each year. The desserts were delightful and served with a smile. The comedy and variety performance, directed by Jim Fenton, was light hearted and very silly. Spare Parts did an excellent job singing to the delight of everyone. The children attending the Kid’s Café enjoyed a rousing concert by Phredd. We are grateful to all of the performers who gave of their time and energy.

 Click here to view a Special thank you to our generous event sponsor!

 Here are some of the highlights of our 2011 Kaleidoscope event:

For years Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties has successfully faced the challenge of helping single mothers escape the cycle of homelessness. Now, as the nation enters yet another year of recession, Bridge of Hope LCC is facing a new challenge – the changing face of poverty.

Samantha (not her real name) grew up in a stable middle-class family, married and had a great job. She was living the American dream, until the economy crashed. She lost her job and her husband gradually became violent. How could this happen? As her husband became more violent, she shut herself off from family and friends. She was ashamed, alone, frightened and confused. She felt she had no choice but to stay, until the day her husband hit their three-year-old so hard he flew across the room. That night she grabbed a small bag, a few clothes and a favorite object for each child then fled. She found herself at a local domestic violence shelter.

Women who never imagined such a thing could happen are finding themselves homeless. More and more young mothers are in this position with no survival skills to help them through the crisis. They have no idea what services are available or how to access them. They don’t even know what questions to ask.

This year, 4 out of 10 women that came to Bridge of Hope LCC were similar to Samantha. This is a marked increase from years past. They are a product of the economy, suffering from situational poverty. As the face of poverty changes, Bridge of Hope LCC is striving to meet the challenge of serving these mothers and their children. Samantha and her children are now safe and doing well but every day more mothers and children find themselves in this situation.

Will you join me in meeting the challenge to serve the changing face of poverty? Your partnership can make all the difference. Your gift will be used to help meet the $30,000 match. Please consider a gift today and meet the challenge to serve the changing face of poverty.

To follow our progress follow this challenge match link.

Ten Thousand Villages, Ephrata features a rug room filled with hand knotted Oriental carpets.  The purchase of a Oriental carpet is an exquisite and lasting investment.  While the benefit shopping nights have already been held, there is still time to purchase an oriental rug to benefit Bridge of Hope LCC! Ten Thousand Villages, Ephrata has graciously provided 15% charity benefit coupon that will be honored throughout the month of December 2011.  Customers who purchase a carpet during December must present this coupon at the time of their purchase in order for Bridge of Hope LCC to receive this donation.

Thanks for giving consideration to holiday shopping that is three-fold: fair pay to talented artisans in developing countries, a fun and unusual gift for a loved one and charitable benefits to our program to homeless single mothers and their children!

We are confident you will find unique gifts for those you love!

It’s All About the Dress ~ Here’s the Story

 July 17, 2011. Harley & Kate Kooker’s 40th wedding anniversary.
A family photograph was scheduled to mark this occasion.
For this special anniversary Kate found a beautiful floral dress
to wear at her local Talbots.

On the perfectly glorious anniversary eve her family gathered in a lovely meadow for photos, all wearing shades of blue. Lush grass tickled grandchildren’s toes and smiles glistened in the soft evening light creating a collection of memorable pictures.

Three days later Kate was waiting to have her car serviced. In the garage lounge she picked up the current issue of Better Homes and Gardens. Imagine Kate’s shock on seeing First Lady, Michelle Obama, on the cover wearing “her anniversary dress!”

Funny thing—prior to the photo, her son, Jonathan suggested that Kate get a yellow sweater to wear over the dress. Kate wasn’t sure she liked that idea…but when she saw Michelle’s combo, she quickly returned to Talbots (yes, that’s where Michelle shops too) and found the yellow sweater.

So there you have it—now it’s time to vote.

Do you agree that Kate has good taste?

To cast your vote with a gift of $5 or more, click on this link, Bridge of Hope LCC, Kate’s charity of choice.

Be the 100th person to donate to this cause to win dinner with Kate or a chance to borrow her dress!

In 2011, 13 people road to raise funds for  Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counites.  Many thanks to each rider.  Together you raised $6,410 to end and prevent homelessness in our community.