Main Line Art Center in Haverford is a welcoming and inclusive creative home where everyone is encouraged to create, experience, and discover the value of art. Committed to making art more accessible to everyone, for over 75 years the Art Center has offered art programs for all ages, abilities and skill levels, including a unique series of Accessible Art Programs for children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities at-risk youth, and low-income families. Throughout the year, Main Line Art Center presents innovative, contemporary art exhibitions in their award-winning gallery, as well as exhibitions that celebrate community. 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the Art Center’s Accessible Art Programs and the 10th anniversary of the Center’s widely acclaimed contemporary exhibition series, Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition, as well as the first year back in the renovated building. With a goal of providing Art for Everyone, the Art Center is an inclusive and vibrant community and a cultural gem on the Main Line.
Like High Swartz, the Art Center has an active role in the Montgomery Bar Association’s Courting Art program as a community art center partner. May is also a special month for the Art Center. On Friday, May 9, the Art Center will hold a Preview Party for Jewels & Treasures, a fine art exhibition and sale running May 9 through June 6, which benefits the Center’s Accessible Art Programs and educational offerings. Tickets are on sale now. On Saturday, May 31 from 1 to 3 pm, the Center will unveil their new Sensory Garden for artists and community members of all abilities, and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Accessible Art Programs with a Sensory Garden Party.
To learn more about Main Line Art Center, please visit www.mainlineart.org.
The preservation of open space and the natural environment is a goal to which all of us should be committed. A leading organization committed to this goal in southeastern Montgomery County is the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, PERT for short! I have served on the Board of Directors of this Trust for many years and participated first hand in the work they do to acquire open space in the Pennypack Creek watershed, and then to restore and maintain that open space. PERT presently owns 800+ acres along the Pennypack Creek in Upper Moreland and Lower Moreland Townships and the Borough of Bryn Athyn. This watershed is endangered by flooding and the runoff of environmentally damaging pollutants from adjacent properties. PERT works to clean up accumulated debris from the Creek and to inform adjacent municipalities on modern methods of stormwater discharge and recharge. It maintains the trust property as a natural habitat for migratory birds by planting crops on which such birds feed. It is a refuge for dozens of species of wildlife, including a sizable population of wild turkey. The natural forest is maintained by removing invasive species and rejuvenated by the planting of hundreds of trees annually. The vast property is a place of respite and relaxation for the public, which is invited to explore miles of natural trails on the site. Finally PERT presents numerous educational programs available monthly to inform adults and young people as well on the many ways the natural environment sustains us all and the importance of its preservation. PERT is supported by and dependent on the membership of hundreds of local families. If you live in the area and are not a member, you owe it to yourself and your community to do so. Join now! More information can be found at www.pennypacktrust.org.
This April, High Swartz is excited to serve the community through a contribution to the Norristown Farm Park. Employees have volunteered to participate in trail maintenance and gardening projects to prepare the park for its most active seasons. Additionally, High Swartz is donating Dogwood trees that will line the edge of the park along West Sterigere Street.
A working farm since the mid-18th century, the Farm Park covers 690 acres of Montgomery County and offers a unique and historical experience to all its visitors. The park works to preserve its diverse agricultural and wildlife species that inhabit the forest areas, working fields, wetlands and streams. Not only does the park host birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, but it also provides activities and scenery for the community. Eight miles of both natural and paved trails extend through the park and allow for fishing, biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, and even picnicking. High Swartz is pleased to contribute to such an important organization in our community.
To learn more about the Norristown Farm Park and how to get involved, please visit the links below:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/norristown/
http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=874
In celebration of Earth Day this April, High Swartz is also increasing its efforts for a more sustainable practice. Our attorneys and staff are committed to only printing when necessary, using reusable glassware and chinaware, and recycling paper, cardboard and cans. Furthermore, High Swartz is encouraging its staff and clients to go green with our new reusable grocery bags made from recycled materials. High Swartz is also proud to work with RecycleYourEmpties.com, a company that recycles our ink cartridges and donates all proceeds to the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.
William Kerr is involved as a volunteer with two different Montgomery County organizations.
Mr. Kerr is a parishioner of Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale, and since 2009 has been a member of the Parish Council at Corpus Christi. As a Parish Council member, he has been involved with a number of Parish events and initiatives. These include, in addition to his participation at regular monthly meetings of the Council, fundraising efforts related to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Heritage of Faith Capital Campaign in 2011, organizing Parish Leadership Conferences in 2009 through 2012, and participating as a member of the Parish’s 50th Anniversary Committee since mid-2013. Mr. Kerr has also coached for Corpus Christi’s CYO baseball and volleyball programs, and is a member of the Corpus Christi’s Knights of Columbus Council. To learn more about Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale, please visit http://corpuschristilansdale.org/
Mr. Kerr also volunteers with the Harleysville Baseball Association as a youth baseball coach at both the recreational level and travel team level, a team sponsor, and as Commissioner of the Association’s Connie Mack program for 13 to 19 year olds since 2012. For the past 5 years he has coached between forty and sixty games each year. As Connie Mack Commissioner he coordinates up to twenty teams in any given year, organizes team tryouts and winter workouts, recruits and assigns coaches, and also coaches a team in each of the spring, summer and fall seasons. He is also a member of the Association’s Board, in which capacity he is intimately involved in the administration of the organization. To learn more about Harleysville Baseball Association, please visit http://www.harleysvillebaseball.com/
Since 1972, the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association (SMSA) has awarded approximately 2,500 scholarships to children and grandchildren of active duty, reserve, and veteran U.S. Navy Seabees and Civil Engineer Corps Officers seeking a college education. SMSA relies on the generosity of its individual supporters, as well as endowments from corporations, families, members of U.S. Navy units, and the Seabee Veterans of America. There are currently 70 students nation wide receiving scholarship money in amounts ranging from $2,800 to $5,000 each year.
To learn more about SMSA, please visit http://www.seabee.org/
This month I am happy to spotlight two organizations that are close to my family’s heart, the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania and Camp Cranium. My family has been a proud supporter of these organizations for several years because of the effect they have had in the life of my sister-in-law, Marissa. In 2004, at age 14, Marissa was hit by a car while crossing a busy street on Halloween night. She sustained serious injuries from the accident and spent several weeks in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. A traumatic brain injury from the accident severely affected her physical and mental abilities, forcing her to relearn common functions like walking and speaking. However, through a lot of hard work and determination, along with the support of her family, doctors and therapists, Marissa made an amazing recovery from the accident. Miraculously her injuries healed and if you met her today you may never know the accident happened! While Marissa is fully recovered physically, the effects of her traumatic brain injury continue in her day to day life. In the years since the accident, the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania and Camp Cranium have helped Marissa cope with the challenges of traumatic brain injury, and have also allowed her to share her experiences and support with other people whose recovery from similar injuries has not progressed as far along as hers. These organizations attempt to educate people on how to prevent brain injury and also try to improve the quality of life for people who have experienced brain injury. My family has joined Marissa in supporting these organizations and promoting the study and treatment of traumatic brain injury.
On April 12, 2014, the “Run, Walk, Roll for Brain Injury” will be held in Tyler State Park in Bucks County, PA to help support these organizations in the quest to assist people suffering from traumatic brain injury. My family has participated in this event for the last few years and it is an enjoyable and inspiring day in the park. For more information on the event, and to support Marissa’s team, please follow this link.
On March 13, 2014, High Swartz and Dunleavy & Associates are co-presenting a workshop for High Swartz’s non-profit clients. The event is by invitation only and is being held at the Montgomery Bar Association. The program will discuss how to engage younger generations as donors, volunteers, board members, and employees. The presentation will be given by Nancy Dunleavy and a panel of enthusiastic Generation Y’s who are connected to the non-profit sector.
To learn more about Dunleavy & Associates, please visit http://www.matchingmissions.com/
HDC MidAtlantic’s mission is to assist in the development of safe, high quality, affordable housing for low-income persons. This includes working families, seniors and people with disabilities. In addition, HDC provides supportive services and are advocates for affordable housing and issues facing low-income households. HDC MidAtlantic focuses its work in the following areas: development of affordable housing, supportive services, advocacy for affordable housing and low income families, and development and training.
To learn more about HDC MidAtlantic, please visit http://hdcweb.com/
Stacey Simon supports numerous charity and animal organizations throughout the year. Full Circle Thrift/A Woman’s Place is the one that means the most to her. All proceeds from donations –gently used women’s, men’s and children’s clothing as well as some housewares - made to Full Circle Thrift go to support A Woman’s Place (AWP). AWP is the only domestic violence organization in Bucks County, PA. They provide a full range of support and assistance for victims of domestic abuse and violence, a 24-hour confidential hotline, a full-service residential shelter as well as many other services. Stacey’s “need” to support this organization stems from when she was younger and watched a very close relative in a violent domestic abuse situation go into the shelter with her child several times. The extent to which they go to in order to protect and keep secret the whereabouts of the victim(s), and the support and guidance provided to them, are remarkable. Domestic abuse and violence are often kept from family and friends, but if you suspect that someone you know is being abused, please look into ways you may be able to help, it could save a life. If you are interested in finding out more information about AWP, it can be found at www.awomansplace.org.
Another organization that Stacey supports is Philabundance, by way of donating to Preston & Steve’s Camp Out for Hunger. Every year, 93.3 WMMR’s morning show hosts, Preston and Steve, live in an RV for a week beginning the Monday following Thanksgiving. They collect non-perishable food items on behalf of Philabundance. These donations contribute in helping to provide food for approximately 72,000 people per week through their network of nearly 500 member agencies that include food cupboards, shelters, emergency kitchen, and more. The counties that benefit from these donations are: Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware in PA, and (Western) Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem in NJ. More information about Philabundance can be found at www.philabundance.org.
The Arc Alliance is a non-profit organization founded in 1951. Its mission is to assist people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities or delays to obtain the rights and resources they require to become, to the fullest-extent possible, independent, self-sufficient, participating and contributing members of society.
The Arc Alliance provides a variety of early intervention services, advocacy services, and support groups for children and families. It is also affiliated with The Arc Alliance Foundation, an organization established to generate private and public funding to improve and expand their services, as well as provide individual support to families in need.
To learn more about The Arc Alliance, please visit http://www.thearcalliance.org/
