Spring 2014 - Safe Harbor of Chester County

Spring 2014
SAFE HARBOR OF CHESTER COUNTY
Seeing Is Believing
Another
rewarding
experience
came on
February 3rd
when Lewis
Campbell
finally got his
Double Cataract
Surgery
completed.
Lewis came to
us in October of 2013 from an apartment he
stayed at with his ex-wife. The apartment was
a Section 8 - 1 bedroom and only his ex-wife’s
name was on the lease. Under Section 8 rules,
Lewis was not allowed to live there.
Lewis has been a Daily Local
newspaper seller on the corner of Marshall
Street and Fern Hill Road for six years. He
makes about $600.00 per month and cannot
afford housing at this time. Upon entering
the shelter, Lewis showed great courage and
tenacity in his efforts to make ends meet.
Despite his vision limitations, he braved the
busy streets of West Chester selling papers
every morning.
I asked Gina Harrison, Director of
Development, if she knew of an eye doctor
who would give Lewis an examination. She
reached out to Dr. George Trajtenberg retired
Chief of Surgery at Chester County Hospital.
Dr. Trajtenberg reached out to his colleague,
Dr. Robert Liss of Chester County Eye Care
Associates who agreed to do the examination
and then the surgery FOR FREE at Turks Head
Surgical Center.
Lewis was not cleared for surgery
until recently due to high blood pressure and
had to be on medication for awhile. Finally, he
got the surgery and is recovering fantastically.
In recovery he saw me and his ex-wife clearly
for the first time and it was an awesome
moment for us all. Lewis said he went from
being unable to see to write his name, to
reading a whole book.
By Christine Natalie
Case Manager, Safe Harbor Shelter
#10730
Chief Operating Officer
Glenn L. Fricke
Board of Directors
Chairman
Marc Ernest
Vice Chairman
Bob Roche
Past Chairman
Patrick M. McKenna, Esq.
Secretary
Doris U. Jones
Treasurer/Chairman Elect
Thomas Bayley
Directors
Melanie Beidler
Ann Byer
Tom Hyde
Jane Lynch
Stephannie Beemer-McLimans
David Murphy
Catherine Neary
Linda Petrecca
Andrea Pettine, Esq.
Joseph Ritter
Helen Semus
If you wish to volunteer in the shelter:
Please contact Alicia Anderson
at 484-696-4465
or e-mail at:
[email protected]
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #12
If you wish to volunteer in the kitchen:
Please contact Tariya Edwards
at 610-696-9016
or e-mail at :
[email protected]
Office Contacts:
P: 610-692-6550
F: 484-631-0105
www.safeharborofgwc.org
8th Annual Friends of Safe Harbor
Spring Celebration
Saturday April 26th, 2014
5:00-9:00pm
Whitford Country Club
600 Whitford Hills Road Exton PA 19341
We want to thank Jaimee and Joe Kaufmann for
agreeing to serve as our Honorary Chairs and
Presenting Sponsors again in 2014.
All proceeds from this event will support our shelter. The
evening includes Hors D’oeuvres, cocktails, dinner stations,
music, live and silent auction.
Tickets are $100 per person. Groups of 6 or more are $85 each.
Purchase tickets online at
www.safeharborofgwc.org or call 610-701-5680 for more
information.
Many thanks to our 2014 Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor:
Joe and Jaimee Kaufmann
Gold Sponsor:
DSM
Silver Sponsors:
The West Chester Office of Janney Montgomery Scott The Hankin Group
Supporting Sponsors:
Dansko
Doug and Regina Evans
Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union
Gawthrop Greenwood, PC
Michele and Denny Howard
Lamb McErlane
Loonstyn Properties
MacElree Harvey
Meridian Bank
Susquehanna Bank
The Vaszily Family
“The official registration and financial information of Safe Harbor of Chester County, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800)-732-0999. Registration does
not imply endorsement: United Way Number 10730
Presenting Sponsors
Jaimee and Joe Kaufmann
Here are some teasers and what to expect at our auction at this year’s event:
+Inspirational golf Experience in Scottsdale, Arizona for Four Days & Three Nights
at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Two Guestrooms for Four, Including Two
$600 Gift Cards
+Savor, Swirl, Sniff and Sip Win in Sonoma, California for Five Days & Four Nights
at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa for Two, Including a Private Winery
tour in a Chauffeured Luxury Sedan
+Discover Coastal Chic at This Oasis By the Sea in Hiltion Head, South Carolina for
Four Days & Three Nights at The Westin Resort Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
in Two Guestrooms for Four
+A Week in Brittany, France
+Something new and very different! We are selling keys to a treasure chest. What
is inside remains a mystery-- but you will not be disappointed. Only 50 keys are
for sale for $20 each. They can be pre-purchased on-line and bought the night of
the event. Will your key be the one to open the chest?
and so much more!
Enjoy a week at this Chateau in South Brittany, France for as many as twelve adults
This chateau is a magical holiday rental with charming French character and exquisite style. The
renaissance chateau is available for self catering holidays, retreats, honeymoons, anniversaries,
family reunions and other memorable celebrations in France. The chateau has been modernized
and renovated with high quality equipment and decor throughout. Set in the peaceful countryside,
at the heart of a spectacular large park, it is close to southern Brittany’s coastal resorts. Enjoy
comfort, tranquility and prestige during your next vacation in France.
SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!!! After
approximately 70 plus inches of snow,
I believe 16 snow events and many
nights and mornings of single digit
temperatures, how hot do you think
it will be this summer? Well, let’s talk
and let me share with you how our staff
and the men and women we support at
Safe Harbor survived. The weather was so challenging that
the shelter was open all day for over 25 days. In addition,
we stayed opened many days until 10am or noon, until
the temperatures improved, so anyone who wanted to
leave and go out could and feel safe. When the roads were
blocked, the sidewalks piled up with 12 inches of snow,
power shortages, ice and those very low temperatures, the
staff did a wonderful job keeping the place safe and at times
fun for those inside.
Because we had gas hot water and our kitchen was
gas, our Food Services Director, Tariya Edwards kept us
well nourished and our stomachs full for all those days we
had snow and those four days without power. At the same
time, all our men really did a great job keeping our doors
clear of the snow and making sure our front sidewalks were
clear of ice so no one would get hurt. I extend my sincere
appreciation for all their efforts and concerns they had for
those that lived in Safe Harbor, as well as those people in
the community that would walk by Safe Harbor.
This winter made us realize how without electricity,
no heat, and the summer coming, probably with
thunderstorms, we needed to get a generator. However,
cost is always a factor so we hope and need to raise the
money so we are prepared in the future. This would
ensure the safety and well-being of all our folks and
could even act as a “warming center” for others in our
community.
As you might imagine there were costs in keeping
our doors open for 20 men and 20 women, but the
appreciation and “ thank you so very much for letting
us stay in” we received was without a doubt priceless.
When these types of challenges occur you really see our
“homeless” men and women working together, helping
each other and really pulling together to ensure all of us
(staff and volunteers included) are safe. They truly are
good and caring people who are just down on their luck.
I want to thank each and every volunteer, staff
and many others that sacrificed their time to ensure that
our men and women were provided with whatever was
needed. The teamwork throughout Safe Harbor was just
impeccable! Summer is coming I hope!!!
Glenn Fricke
Chief Executive Officer
Radley Art Show 2014: A great success!
For the past four years, Radley Run Country
Club has chosen Safe Harbor to receive the
proceeds from their fabulously attended,
highly regarded art show in early March.
Fifty area artists are invited to show and sell
their work with a percentage of their sales
coming to our shelter.
This year the Friday night crowd was
the largest yet. By attending this event,
hundreds of people were able to enjoy the
atmosphere and food of Radley Run, while
supporting local artists and the homeless in
Chester County.
Congratulations to the Art Show Committee
and to everyone at Radley for organizing
and hosting this wonderful weekend.
Radley Run is a special place – they make a
difference here at Safe Harbor.
Gina Harrison
Director of Development