Bucks County's Women's Initiative

Investing in Women's Lives and Girl's Futures

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Reception and Silent Auction at 5:30 pm

Dinner at 7:00 pm

Spring Mill Manor - Ivyland, PA

Celebrate International Women's Day by honoring

Women of the Garden of Reflection

Bucks County's 9/11 Memorial

and

Young Women Who Volunteer for Empower Orphans and

Give Kids the World Village

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Our Mission

The Bucks County Women' s Initiative of the United Way of Bucks County improves the lives of women and girls through advocacy, education, partnerships and grants. Managed by women, we build gender equity, create social change, and promote a culture of philanthropy among women and girls.

The Power of the Purse

The Bucks County Women’s Initiative will be holding the Power of the Purse event on March 8, 2012, which is International Women’s Day. This event highlights that women in our community have a strong impact on economic and quality-of-life issues. Every year, more women join together because they understand that the Power of their Purse can help others.

We encourage you to purchase your tickets as soon as possible! It's simple: Take a look at the invitation and decide how many friends you will bring. You can either print and mail an RSVP card or purchase your tickets online.

You can help by attending, advertising or sponsoring Power of the Purse. Simply fill out this donation/sponsorship form and return it to United Way of Bucks County.

We also invite you to make a donation to our silent auction. For example, a new or gently-usedpurse(or any other item you feel is appropriate) can be used as an auction item to help make the Power of the Purse event even more special. If you have any story associated with the donated purse, we would love to hear it. Whether it may be a special purchase, a gift from an amazing individual, or if you accessorized your outfit with it at a memorable event, please share! You can include that information on your donation form.

Tickets are now available! To purchase your tickets online

For more information, to purchase tickets, or to become a sponsor or advertiser for the

2012 Power of the Purse Awards Dinner, contact Pat Gallagher at 215.949.1660 ext 111 or email bcwi@uwbucks.org.

2012 Award Recipients

Women of the Garden of Reflection

The Bucks County Garden of Reflection 9-11 Memorial is the official Pennsylvania memorial to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It was created to remember and honor the 2,973 people killed on September 11, 2001. It is situated in Memorial Park amid the natural beauty of historic Bucks County farmland in Lower Makefield Township.

Although the dedication and support of many individuals, organizations and volunteers made this Memorial Garden possible, it is a small group of volunteers who coordinated the efforts. These extraordinary women dedicated time and energy to create a place of healing for those affected by this national tragedy.

Tara Bane

Clara Chirchirillo

Grace Godshalk

Fiona Havlish

Liuba Lashchyk

Valerie Mihalek

Ellen Saracini

Our Youth

Neha Gupta conceptualized the non-profit organization Empower Orphans at age 9. Empower Orphans’ goal is to create self sufficiency among orphaned, abandoned and under privileged children by supplying them with the tools to gain a basic education and technical skills to enable a sustainable livelihood. In November 2011, Neha received the World of Children Award - the Nobel Prize for Child Advocacy.

Lauren Buben was the driving force behind the founding of the Bucks County Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. Lauren, diagnosed with Leukemia at age 3, was honored as a Make-A-Wish child. She has been in remission for over 10 years. In 2009, she established volunteer connections to Give Kids the World Village and Make-A-Wish Foundation, and is deeply connected to these interconnected causes.

Neha Gupta

Lauren Buben