Thank you so much to all of our generous sponsors and guests for supporting the Brandywine Health Foundation’s annual Garden Party.

This year’s party raised over $53,000 in net proceeds, more than a $10,000 increase compared to last year. The Strawberry Festival’s net income was an additional nearly $80,000, despite two days of rainy, dreary weather. The continued success of both events is a result of the extraordinary commitment and generosity you and hundreds of other like minded supporters put forth each year on behalf of this annual community tradition -- we could not do it without you!

Our 2007 Garden Party Safari Committee (pictured left to right): Phyllis Stewart, Jeanne Franklin, Kitty Williams, Priscilla Holleran, hosts: Robert and Jennifer McNeil, Co-Chair Mary Holleran, President and CEO Frances Sheehan, Co-Chair Kathy Lovell, Brit Kay, Bobbi Callazzo, Janet Nathan and Debbie Shupp. Not pictured: Irma Bailey, Kathleen Deets Price, Carolyn DeLone, Laurie Eastburn, Susan Eastburn, Denise James, and Joan Lindstrom.

At the Garden Party, we recognized Jennifer and Bob McNeil as they hosted their fifth and final Garden Party at Springbank Farm (of course the Garden Party will continue for many years to come, just in a new venue!) The children who visit ChesPenn Health Services and Community Dental often do not have parents who read to them regularly, nor do they have books available to them in their home environments.

And, so we announced that we will be adding to the Brandywine Health & Housing Center’s waiting room the McNeil Children’s Lending Library. The foundation will install a set of bookshelves, engraved with the words “McNeil Children’s Lending Library,” stocked with a set of books for children of all ages.

We do not expect children to return the books, as we want to encourage a love for reading, and hope that they might treasure a new book that they can read over and over again. The McNeils sent in a generous gift to help kick off the purchase of the book collection and the lending library will continue to be replenished by generous people in the community through various drives and volunteer efforts.

If you are interested in participating in this special lending library by donating new books (for children from birth to age 15), please contact Dana Heiman at 610.380.9080 or dheiman@brandywinefoundation.org.