'Power Of The Purse' To Honor Women Involved With Garden Of Reflection

The Women’s Initiative of the United Way of Bucks County will honor women involved in The Garden of Reflection at an event to be held March 8 at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland.

The event, called Power of the Purse, celebrates the power of women’s leadership and philanthropy. Organizers expect nearly 500 people will attend.

Power of the Purse will feature a reception and silent auction at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and an awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. The event emcee is Lynn Doyle, host of It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle.

Power of the Purse was a signature event of the Bucks County Women’s Fund for over 20 years, and was focused on honoring women and girls who make a difference. This year, the newly formed United Way of Bucks County Women’s Initiative will carry on the tradition.

The Garden of Reflection 9-11 Memorial, located in Lower Makefield Township, honors victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It was created to remember and honor all 2,973 people killed on September 11, 2001.

“Although the dedication and support of many individuals and organizations 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,” said a press release from the United Way of Bucks County Women’s Initiative.

Honorees include: Tara Bane, Clara Chirchirillo, Grace Godshalk, Fiona Havlish, Liuba Lashchyk, Valerie Mihalek and Ellen Saracini.

Two youth, Neha Gupta and Lauren Buben, will be honored at the event. Gupta, a 15-year-old Yardley resident, created the nonprofit organization Empower Orphans at age nine.  Empower Orphans’ creates self-sufficiency among orphaned, abandoned and under-privileged children by supplying them with the tools to gain a basic education and technical skills, with the longterm goal of a sustainable livelihood.

Lauren Buben, a 17-year-old Yardley, resident, actively participated in the Bucks County Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. Buben was diagnosed with Leukemia at age three and was honored as a Make-A-Wish child. She has been in remission for more than 10 years. She currently volunteers with Give Kids the World Village in Florida to help other children’s wishes come true. 

Tickets to the event are $80 a person or $60 for those under 21. The evening will feature dinner, silent auction and cash bar. Click here to purchase tickets online. 

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available. To learn more, contact Patricia Gallagher at 215-949-1660, ext. 111 or patriciag@uwbucks.org.

For more information, visit www.uwbucks.org.