Steps for Sarcoma smashes records for crowds, dollars raised
Braving steamy temps, throngs of sarcoma warriors, survivors, their families and friends – 1,300 strong – walked or raced through Wilson Farm Park in Chesterbrook on June 11.
The teams: Many in matching tees and led by people battling sarcoma on crutches, wheelchairs and with prosthetic limbs, about 30 teams turned out for the 5K chip-timed race and one-mile walk.
The hometown hero emcee: Conestoga ’06 star and Ewing’s Sarcoma survivor Mark Herzlich, 29, who will play his 7th season for the New York Giants this fall (with a steel rod in his thigh).
Gang Green: About 80 folks wore green t-shirts to honor the late Pat Maher of Devon, who tragically lost a four-year-battle with sarcoma last June at age 47. Ever valiant, Pat himself led his green-shirted team of St. Monica’s and Nova pals at the 2015 Steps to Cure Sarcoma.
The emotional takeaway: The deep wells of solidarity and support for families affected by this relatively rare bone and soft-tissue cancer. 200 people joined the first Steps walk in 2015. Last year, 700 showed up; this year, 1300. Wow.
The financial takeaway: A whopping $125,000 and counting – far exceeding the event’s $75K goal – for sarcoma programs at the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine, Penn Veterinary Hospital and CHOP.
About 50 friends, family and Bala Cynwyd neighbors walked and ran for Kim Hayman (wearing hat and yellow lanyard). Kim was diagnosed with sarcoma in October of 2016 and tells us she’s cancer free. Her team name: Kim Crushes Cancer.
Leading the “Fight to Win” team formed in memory of the late Pat Maher of Devon: his in-laws Mike and Diane Sweeney of Malvern, Pat's wife, Jennifer Maher, his mother, Helen Maher, and three children, Caeli, Riley and PJ.
Event co-organizer Barb Herzlich of Wayne with her son, Mark, the former Conestoga and Boston College star who famously beat Ewing’s sarcoma and now plays for the New York Giants.
Mark Herzlich’s grandmother, Ann DiLeone, Stacey Pellegini of Wayne (whose husband, Lou, is a four-time sarcoma survivor) and Connie Migeot of Wayne sell copies of Mark Herzlich’s autobiography, “What It Takes.” Proceeds were donated to the cause.
“Superhero” sarcoma survivor Paul Nappi of West Chester, who lost part of a leg to the disease three years ago, with his team: daughter Isabella Nappi, niece Noelle Krevetsky, father-in-law Emil DeJohn (the former fashion designer), oncologist Arthur “Chip” Staddon, director of the sarcoma program at Penn Medicine, and Paul's daughter, Alexandra Nappi.
Conestoga football players and parents came out to support the former Stoga star's cause, including Ryan Drennen and Chris Wiggins of Wayne, and Christopher, Katherine and Edward McGovern of Malvern.
Among the St. Monica’s families that came out to support the Maher family: Wendy Brooks of Devon, Angela Lawton of Wayne, Kevin, Mary Elise, Erin, Diane and Steve Pealer of Devon, and Zach and Gary Brooks.
Former Conestoga quarterback and T/E teacher LeRoi Leviston, aka rapper Roi Lush, with Mark’s wife, Danielle Herzlich.
Vicki Nickey of Downingtown, Paoli physical therapist Christine Hayes of Chesterbrook and Adrianne Missimer of Coatesville.
Spinning tracks for the crowd: DJ Jenny McG, aka Jen McGowan of Wayne.
Lower Merion Conservancy toasts its biggest ‘save’ yet at 22nd annual gala
Spirits were soaring as 250 supporters celebrated yet another notch in the Conservancy’s preservation belt: a new 43-acre easement that includes Villanova’s historic Red Rose Farm.
The party: Guests gathered at the Villanova estate, Meadowbrook, for light fare by Brulée Catering, live music by the Ken Ulansey Ensemble, and a silent auction.
The enlightened landowner and gala host: David Hoffman, owner of 18th-century Red Rose Farm and Meadowwood, who worked with the Conservancy to “save” his property in perpetuity.
The fine print: The easement means the land can’t be carved up and developed – even if the property changes hands. LM Conservancy also counts among its wins: easements protecting two historic facades and some 183 acres in Gladwyne, Wynnewood, Penn Valley and Bryn Mawr.
The bounty: $90,000 for the Conservancy’s work to preserve clean water, open space and historic buildings in Lower Merion.
Kathy Spagnola of Bryn Mawr, Adam Barker of Phoenixville, Alison Pottage of Ireland, and Richard and Pia Halloran of Haverford.
Jamie Sheller and Mark Greisiger of Bryn Mawr, Rachel and Harry Miller of Villanova and Board member Heather Osborne of Ardmore.
Lower Merion Conservancy Board member Bruce Reed of Bala Cynwyd and Executive Director Maurine McGeehan of Narberth celebrate with David Hoffman of Villanova, who allowed an easement of 43 acres on his property.
Linda Tasker of Merion, Gala Committee and Board member Laurie Beach of Bryn Mawr, and Ginette and Herbert Wendelken of Haverford, also on the Gala Committee.
Anna Durbin of Ardmore, Conservancy Board member Karen Ebbert of Bala Cynwyd and Laurie Bachman of Philadelphia, executive director of Riverbend Environmental Education Services.
John Newhall of Penn Valley, Joyce Sando of Haverford and Fred Bissinger of Villanova, a sponsor of the gala.
Pam Porter of Rosemont, Board member Melissa Morris of Villanova, and Gala Committee member Laurie Lundquist make their way through the buffet line.
Brien and Maggie Murphy of Haverford, Lia Calhoun of Bryn Mawr, and Sara Hatch of Lenox, Mass., enjoy a tapas dinner in the tent.
Conservancy Director of Programming and Communications Amy Chapkovich of Havertown, with Samantha, Tania and Charlotte Alexander of Bryn Mawr. Tania is a Board member.
Melissa and Dev Kantesaria of Malvern bid on Phillies tickets in the silent auction.
Kim Shepard of Flourtown, president of the Whitemarsh Foundation, and Jody Holton of Narberth.
Checking in guests are volunteers Paul Justice of Philadelphia, Jenna Keck of Honeybrook and Josh Young, also of Philadelphia.
A see-and-be-seen affair at the horse show: Chapeaux for Devereux
Young Friends of Devereux chose the horse show’s new Devon Club for its new signature fundraiser, Chapeaux at Devereux.
The setting: Held on Clydesdales Friday, the June 2 party venue overlooked both show rings, making for some happy horse-watching.
The look: “Race Day attire” was requested for a best-dressed contest. Gents who forgot bow ties could score cool ones at Stoga-grad Samantha Leibowitz’s pop-up shop.
The Quadruple Crown Winner: Sweeping spring hat contests at Paramour, Radnor Hunt, Devon, Kathleen Kenneally won yet again, this time for her top-to-toe butterfly getup.
Fun fact: Devereux began 99 years ago in a Devon home that Helena Devereux rented for 12 students. Now in 12 states, Devereux serves and advocates for people living with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, special mental health needs and child welfare concerns.
“Best Dressed Couple”: 6 ABC Action News sports anchor Ducis Rodgers of Phoenixville and his wife, Diana, in Lilly Pulitzer.
Devereux President and CEO Bob Kreider, Young Friends Committee member Renee Dole of Wayne, Advisory Board member Alex Dole, and Sarah Woodruff, co-chair of the Young Friends Committee.
Rick Bente of Wayne, Josh Johnson of Phoenixville, Raj Agarwal, Renee Dole and Angeli Agarwal, all of Wayne, (front row) Kelly Johnson and Alex Bente.
Lindsay and Jeff Gehret of Malvern.
Fred, Helaine, Danielle and Dan Liebowitz of Malvern represented fashion designer Samantha Liebowitz, a Conestoga graduate whose clothes and accessories were sold at the party.
Jerry Benedict, his wife, Jessica Tracy, a Young Friend of Devereux Executive Committee member, and her brother, Brandon Tracy.
“Best Dressed” winner Katherine Kenneally of Wayne, with Nicole and Neil Napolitano of Bryn Mawr.
Jenni McKee and Kelly Cucé.
Conestoga ’14 friends Kieran Murphy of Valley Forge, Marli Markovitz and Victoria Puzo of Wayne and Anna Freitag of Devon.
Matt and Meredith Rovine of Devon and Katie and David Egan of Wayne.
Bryn Smythe, Jack Reuben and Nancy Bowden Harris, all of Wayne.
Devereux Advisory Board member MaryAnne Hawrylak of Devon and her husband, Elbert Johnston.
Riverbend hosts fabulous farm-to-table feast
Nature lovers meandered through the Gladwyne grounds of the environmental education center on June 4, sipping and supping at “Farm to Table: A Toast to Twilight.”
Along the way: In a new wood pavilion, 160 guests nibbled on charcuterie and slurped back-to-nature drinks from 13th Street Cocktails, the mobile bar company that’s suddenly everywhere. In the meadow, Alice Herrick of the Funicular Circus amazed with a high-wire show.
By the stone circle: Upper Merion middle school students talked about how they grew herbs on top of aquariums using waste and water from goldfish, part of Riverbend’s award-winning aquaponics program. (Look, Ma – no soil!)
On the hilltop: At community tables festooned with fresh flowers, guests feasted from food stations then raised their glasses for the twilight toast led by board chair Doris del Tosto Brogan and executive director Laurie Bachman.
The bounty: Some $43,000 was raised for camps, scouting, aquaponics and community outreach programs at Riverbend.
Riverbend Board member Bryan Franey of Bala Cynwyd and his wife, Janine, and Shannon and Jonathan Moyer of Bryn Mawr enjoy all-natural cocktails like Ginger Mules and Riverbend Collins.
Riverbend Executive Director Laurie Bachman welcomes Gordon Cooney of Newtown Square and his wife, Gretchen, a Board member and Board Chair Doris Brogan of St. Davids at a pavilion built last year to be named in honor of Nic and Dee Adams.
Gladwynites Jason Newman, wife Angela Allevi, a board member, and Laurie Loevner.
The Funicular Circus entertained the crowd with a high-wire show and ground-level walking games.
Nan Lansinger of Rosemont, with her daughter Diana, and Meghan Bachman, both of Philadelphia.
Chris Zaro of Wayne and his daughter, Cora, listen to an aquaponics presentation by Upper Merion Middle School eighth graders Xander Kruvczuk, Rayna Friedrich and Divya Kulkarni. The students used goldfish-aquarium water to grow 12 herbs.
Gladwyne friends Cole and Sarah Collier, Jeff Span and Kim Kupka.
Nick and Erin Durant and Karen Meehan, all of Bryn Mawr, with Riverbend Outreach Coordinator Tara McDonnell of Gladwyne and Ann Mariani of Villanova.
At the top of the hill, Marc and Rachel Baum of Upper Dublin, Mike and Amy Shubert of Wynnewood and Melissa and Glen Barenbaum enjoy the alfresco tapas dinner.
(Standing) David Burnett of Wayne, Foucault Thery of Philadelphia, (seated) Camillo Gianglozdano of Ardmore, Sally Sharkey of Wayne and Linda Dooney of Bryn Mawr.
Guests sat at farm tables.
Ardmore salon owner Melissa Laliberte and Gwen Goodwill Bianchi of Gladwyne, a former Board chair.
Herman DeJong of Gladwyne balances a glass of wine and a full plate.
Development Director Lisa Hancock shares a closing “Toast to Twilight” with event chair Jimmy Owens of Havertown, a Board member.
Life’s Patina hosts lavish Ladies Night for Fred’s Footsteps
On a lovely June evening, friends of Fred’s Footsteps enjoyed an intimate, indulgent Girls Night Out at Willowbrook Farm.
The ladies: Each forked over $150 to attend the June 1 GNO, which was donated by Life’s Patina with help from cocktail and beauty sponsors. Only 75 tickets were auctioned off at the Party in the Yard, the Ardmore-based non-profit’s big charity gala.
The night: Pampering to the max – hands-on cocktail lessons, chair massages, mini-makeovers by Bloomingdales, bountiful food and drink stations, and, of course, shopping for vintage-inspired goodies at Life’s Patina’s summer barn sale.
The cause: Fred’s Footsteps carries on the legacy of community leader Fred DiBona of Bryn Mawr, who lost his fight with cancer in 2005 at age 53. Founded by his family, FF pays non-medical expenses for families thrown into crisis by a child’s serious illness, injury or disability. In 12 years, FF has doled out $4.5 million to 650 area families. Known for his big heart and loyalty, Fred – modest to the end – was president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross.
Bradford Lawrence, a “luxury brand specialist” with liquor purveyor Beam Suntory, and Aaron Gordon, “spirit guide”/owner of 13th Street Cocktails Catering, lead a hands-on whisky cocktail lesson using fresh herbs.
Sylvia DiBona of Bryn Mawr, Fred DiBona’s widow and president of Fred’s Footsteps board, and daughter Christine DiBona Lobely of Gladwyne, executive director of Fred’s Footsteps.
Sarah Collier and Lynn Heth of Gladwyne, and Lydia Hamburg of Penn Valley.
The on-demand massage company, Zeel, gives chair massages.
Advisory Board member Angela Allevi of Gladwyne and Suga Smith of Radnor.
Sasha Schrode of Villanova, Jade Eskovitz of King of Prussia, Nancy Wagman of Bryn Mawr, and Laura Beauchamp of Newtown Square learn how to make refreshing whisky cocktails.
Life’s Patina at Willowbrook Farm owner Meg Veno with barn sale regulars Kendra Joyce and Janine Baschoff of West Chester.
Guests belly up to the horse-trailer bar wheeled in by 13th Street Cocktail Catering.
Fruitful spring gala reaps $400,000 for JCHAI
Friends of Judith Creed Homes for Adult Independence, better known as JCHAI, partied at the National Constitution Center May 10.
The awards: The Louis J. Carter Award – given to someone without a JCHAI family connection who goes above and beyond to support the cause – went to the founder of the Brownstein Group, Berny Brownstein of Bala Cynwyd. Jordyn Dannenbaum received the Lisa Bratt Award for raising spirits with her sparkling personality.
The program: The debut of a Brownstein-produced video about JCHAI and its new building campaign. Blank Rome attorney Laurence Shtasel headlined the live auction.
The cause: JCHAI helps adults with autism and intellectual disabilities live and work in the community, giving peace of mind to their families. The Bryn Mawr-based non-profit provides apartment and group-home options, teaches life and vocational skills, and reinforces Jewish life and values.
Sherrie Savett and Ellyn Saft of Bryn Mawr, Joy Gordan and Barbara Malamut.
Cindy Dannenbaum with her daughter, Jordyn, a JCHAI resident and Lisa Bratt Award winner, and Jennifer Kaufman, JCHAI resident, with her sister, Sharon Freedman of Villanova.
Berny Brownstein of Bala Cynwyd, founder of the Brownstein Group and Louis J. Carter Award honoree, and JCHAI Board Chair Judith Creed of Philadelphia. (Radnor Digital Photo)
Cristy Hollin of Gladwyne, Lori Lewis of Penn Valley, Andrea De Button of Villanova, Pam Lederer of Bryn Mawr and Rana Grossinger of Wynnewood.
Honoree Jordyn Dannenbaum of Villanova with her mom Cindy. Jordyn received the Lisa Bratt Award. (Radnor Digital Photo)
Bienvenue to The Cottage in Wayne’s Eagle Village
Fans and friends toasted the newest addition to the Valley Forge Flowers family, The Cottage, purveyor of “enlightened” French antiques and collectibles.
La fête: About 100 friends sipped wine and nibbled charcuterie and baguettes while perusing The Cottage on May 31.
Le magasin: Lets in the light. You won’t find an inch of dark wood or grandma’s dainty doodads in this au courant shop adjoining The Barn at Valley Forge Flowers. Owner Barbara King regularly flies a small team of local ladies to the south of France to forage for vintage accessory and furniture. (Sorry, she’s not hiring.)
Le café: Gelati, light fare, baked goods and, best of all, La Colombe coffee.
La charité: Main Line Animal Rescue was given a portion of evening’s sales.
Valley Forge Flowers owner Barbara King (center) with antiques buyers Sophie Unkovic and Nelly Bruno.
Judy Boyd of Broomall, Susan Clanley of Berwyn, Linda Hawkins of Villanova and Anne Henderson of Wayne.
Alan and Gale Cooper of Devon.
Valley Forge Flowers buyer Maureen Katona with Wayne interior designer Susan Murkley.
Christine McGinn of West Chester with Linda Grogan of Newtown Square.
Love this! It would be great if you had information about these charity functions prior to the events so there would be the opportunity to attend!
Yes, that’s a swell idea. An events calendar is certainly on SAVVY’s drawing board!
What a vibrant and generous community have we! Thank you Caroline for your continued message of the blessings we share.
Yes, it always does the heart good to see so many share the bounty 🙂
I would love to get involved with the Steps for Sarcoma group. My daughter had Ewings Sarcoma 25 years ago and survived. I have been wanting to do something to help with research into that cancer for years. Can you put me in touch with that organization?
Yes, happy to connect you. (And very happy to hear that your daughter is a survivor!) Stay tuned.