Bridge of Hope

Lancaster & Chester Counties

Ending and preventing homelessness – one church and one family at a time with the help of trained mentoring groups within congregations.

Headline News:

Lancaster, PA (October 16, 2007)--Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties invites the community to their 17^h annual Kaleidoscope event to be held on Saturday, November 3, 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Ridgeview Mennonite Church. The theme, “Taste of Hope,” will feature a Latin American marketplace with food and entertainment.

While listening to the rhythms of Spanish serenades place your silent auction bids on over 100 items including a week-long snowmobile trip in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; plus such items as a weekend stay in PA’s Endless Mountains, a painting of Forever Friends by Elsie Beiler commemorating the Nickel Mines School tragedy, two Southwest Airline tickets to any U.S. Destination SW serves, hand-carved cardinal donated by Frank King and assorted Latin American handicrafts such as Guatemalan hand woven table linens and reverse painted glass from Peru. Visit www.bridgeofhopelcc.org for a more complete listing of auction items.

Entertainment for “Taste of Hope” will include a Brazilian Capoeira Group and a Puerto Rican vocal group, both from the Lancaster area. Frank Albrecht and Elizabeth Soto will share market day adventures from living in Latin America.

The event will close with a live auction of specialty items including a quilted wall hanging of original artwork by Bridge of Hope children.

At this family event, children ages 4 to 11 will attend their own Latin American event complete with a “kid-friendly” meal, crafts, games and entertainment with a Brazilian Drummer’s Circle.

This festive fundraiser will benefit Bridge of Hope’s mission to end and prevent homelessness for single women and their children with the help of trained mentoring groups within local church congregations.

Over 130 local businesses, organizations, and individuals have joined to support this fun-filled event with sponsorships, silent auction and food donations. Sponsors include: Rich and Joyce Haller, Hostetler Insurance Associates, Chad and Colleen Hurst, Premier Custom –Built, Inc, Glenn and Anne Weaver, The Dunnenberger Family and Verizon Foundation, Alan and Carole Giagnocavo Family, Jack Hess—Kingsway Realty, Homestead Custom Cabinetry, Inc, MMA – Sauder Financial, Benjamin Roberts, LTD, Sharp Shopper, Smoker Door Sales, Thomasville Home Furnishings, Terry and Joanie Yoder, Buck Run Transport, DavCo Advertising, Inc., Fence-patrol Fence Co., Inc., Fisher Masonry, Goodville Mutual Casualty Company, Gauer’s Decorating Center, Hershey Advisors, PC, Paul and Louetta Hurst, Kauffman Gas, Paul and Dorothy King, B.R. Kreider & Son, Inc., Kevin and Sherry Lapp, Lincoln Pavement Services, Inc., Newlin’s Auto Service, Inc., Ken and Carol Rohrer, Shivery Funeral Home, Sam S. Smucker & Sons, Inc., EGStoltzfus Homes, Inc., Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Xpressway Trucking (Gotwals Brothers).

“Taste of Hope” will be held at Ridgeview Mennonite Church, 3723 Ridge Road, Gordonville, near Intercourse.

Admission is $8.00 per adult and $5.00 per child ages 4-11 attending the Kid’s Cafe. Children three years of age and under have free admission. Reservations are requested by November 1. For more information call 717-394-7406 or 610-380-1360, or visit www.bridgeofhopelcc.org.

Bridge Of Hope’s Seventh Annual Chester County Garden Brunch Raises $38,000

Coatesville, PA (March 21, 2006) -- Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties raised $38,000 at their Seventh Annual Chester County Garden Brunch, held at the Mendenhall Inn on March 18. More than 200 people attended this year’s event, which included a meal, silent and sealed-bid auctions, live music, and a presentation on gardening.

There were over 130 items in the silent and sealed bid auctions, which raised $10,730. Top-selling items included a three-day weekend at Cape May Point for $600; a one-week timeshare for $575; a private luncheon or dinner for eight with garden tour at the home of David Culp for $475; a gift certificate for a garden design consultation by Fine Garden Creations for $255; and a gift certificate for overnight accommodations and dinner for two at the Mendenhall Inn plus travel bag for $200.

Other highlights of the event included guest speaker Stephanie Cohen, who gave a presentation on “New & Underused Perennials.” Cohen is co-author of The Perennial Gardener’s Design Primer and has taught herbaceous plants and perennial design at Temple University for over twenty years. Garden Brunch guests also enjoyed live music by the jazz duo of Terry Klinefelter (piano) and Rob Swanson (bass).

Proceeds of the event will benefit the mission and programs of Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties.

Bridge of Hope’s First Lancaster County Garden Brunch Raises $27,000

Lancaster, PA (April 10, 2006) -- Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties raised $27,000 at the first Garden Brunch held in Lancaster County at Bent Creek Country Club on April 1. More than 240 people attended this year’s event, which included a meal, silent auction, live music, and a presentation on gardening.

The 75 items on the silent auction raised $8,400. Top-selling items included a two-night-stay to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa for $650; a one-week mountain home vacation for $350; a poolside dinner for 8 at the home of Fred and Beth Clark for $350; a framed, numbered and signed Suk Shuglie print also for $350; a gift certificate for a garden design consultation by Don Deiter from Ken’s Gardens for $275; a private garden brunch for six women at the home of Judy Harnish for $260; and a handcrafted potting bench by Gordon Landis for $200.

Other highlights of the event included guest speaker Steve Gallion, “The Garden Guy”, who gave a presentation on “Selected for Perfection”, trees and shrubs. Gallion, Director of Retail and Wholesale Nursery for Stauffers of Kissel Hill also appears on WGAL as “The Garden Guy” giving useful advice on gardening to the community. Garden Brunch guests also enjoyed live music by the piano and violin duo of Sharon and Michael Lambertson and demonstrations of flower arranging by Delores Nolt and Darla Stoner; orchid care by John and Carol Pyfer; and a bonsai by Gil Benson and Frank Thomas.

Proceeds of the event will benefit the mission and programs of Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties.

Bridge of Hope hosts Launching Hope—includes concert of local choirs

Coatesville, PA (May 20, 2005) -- Bridge of Hope Lancaster and Chester Counties is excited to invite you to their brand new event; Launching Hope on Sunday, June 26 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM in the Fiddler’s Field area of Hibernia County Park near Coatesville. Launching Hope offers an exciting evening of local church choirs and Christian music during a benefit concert beginning at 5:00 PM . Parking will be available at the Fiddler’s Field area. The rain location for the concert will be held at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 107 South 17th Avenue in Coatesville

This year’s Launching Hope performers include three well-known local church choirs. Our Lady of the Rosary Church Youth Choir, under the direction of Pat Lamb , will open the concert. Bethel AME Downingtown Gospel Choir, under the direction of Vincent Carter; and Maranatha Evangelistic Temple Praise Team Choir, under the direction of Jon Stonewall will also perform.

The concert will end with a performance by Kindred Cross. This Christian band combines family harmony and vocals with musicians of vast experience and background, to create a unique sound that appeals to a wide age group of listeners. Their music has a country rock sound with a touch of southern gospel, as the band members have a variety of influences.

Light food and refreshments will be available at no charge but attendees may also bring a picnic supper. There will be a free-will offering accepted during the concert. Door prizes will also be given away.

Launching Hope will begin with “The Dazzling Duckie Dash” at 4:00 PM at the “Old Dam” area in Hibernia Park . Parking will be available at the Fiddler’s Field area with a shuttle bus transporting guests to the race area. Supporters can “adopt” a plastic numbered duckie, which will then be raced down the Brandywine Creek with hundreds of other “adopted” duckies. Chester County Commissioner; Andy Dinniman will be making a big splash as the Grand Marshall. Once the race gets underway, the first five duckies to cross the finish line will win prizes. Top Prizes for Dazzling Duckie Dash winners include $250 cash sponsored by Weathervane Wealth Management; $150 cash donated by Hershey Motors; VIP tickets donated by Ride the Ducks Philadelphia; a Philadelphia Phillies Gift Package, which includes two tickets to a Sunday Game; $100 cash donated by Home Appliances; and $75 cash donated by Hershey Farm Market. There will also be special prizes awarded for the top three people who sell the most duckies which were donated by Apple Auto Sales, Inc.; The Philadelphia KIXX; Topiary Flowers and Gifts; and La Spina Salon.

A second duckie race will be introduced this year called the Faster Pastor Duck Race. This race will include duckies which can be purchased by local church congregations in Lancaster and Chester Counties to honor and show appreciation to their pastor. This race is limited to 30 ducks. The first three ducks to cross the finish line will win prizes for the pastor.

Over forty local businesses, organizations, and individuals have joined to sponsor this fun-filled event and to provide food and prizes, including lead sponsorships from WAWA, Inc. and Sam’s Club of Exton.

The mission of Bridge of Hope Lancaster and Chester Counties is to end and prevent homelessness for single mothers and children with the help of trained mentoring groups within local congregations. Single mothers achieve permanent housing and attain stability and enhanced self-esteem through ongoing mentoring friendships.

To “adopt” a rubber duckie or to find out how you can sell duckies to qualify for “Duckie Seller” prizes, and for more information about this event, please call Bridge of Hope at 610-380-1360 or 717-394-7406 or visit their website at www.bridgeofhopelcc.org.