BRC receives $15,000 grant from Green Tree Community Health Foundation

The BRC thanks Green Tree Community Health Foundation for its steadfast commitment to breastfeeding families in the Philadelphia Area. In tough economic times, when the market decline has forced many foundations reduce financial support to non-profit organizations, Green Tree has renewed their commitment to keeping the BRC running with a $15,000 grant for General Operating Expenses.

A community health advocate, the Green Tree Community Health Foundation is a not-for-profit public charity that identifies areas of vulnerability in the communities of Northwest Philadelphia and Eastern Montgomery County and provides funding to organizations whose work addresses these needs. The foundation seeks to have a positive impact on current and emerging health issues and risks, empowering residents to access health services and value, embrace and maintain their health.

Breast Fest ‘09

The BRC celebrated another year with the Fifth Annual Breast Fest. It was an opportunity for the BRC to celebrate its success during its 6+ years of existence and raise money to keep all the vital programs going! This year, the Breast Fest was held at the beautiful Morris Arboretum. The butlered hors d’oeuvres kept the guest’s tummies full while they bid on fabulous donated auction items. Guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Flamin’ Caucasians. Take a look at the pictures below and you surely won’t want to miss next year’s event.

The list of companies who donated auction items is mentioned below. Please provide patronage to these generous businesses!


Generously donated items filled the auction tables at the Morris Arboretum!


When the guests arrived...the bidding began!


Attendees anxiously await the winner of the free raffle.


BRC staff is announced and thanked!


Claire Hays, Chair of the Fundraising Committee



Colette Acker, Director, encouraging donors.


Curt Parnes, BRC President, thanking all who came.


Dancing could not be stopped with the great music by the Flamin Caucasians with Board Member, Sylvia Cavanaugh leading the way.


Daniel was too tired for the babysitting room


Volunteer, Andrew Lauletta finally got a chance to sit.


Attendees listen to the Director’s speech about the importance of the BRC being in the community.

The Breast Fest would not be a success without the wonderful contributions from the following businesses and people. Thank You!

Morris Arboretum
Please Touch Museum
Marianne Gassman of MG Designs
Susan Parnes
Susan Asplundh
One Fit Mama
Fit4You
Valerie Stillman
Camille Mancuso
Marco Polo Restaurant
Rhinoceros Toy Store
ERGO Inc.
Medela, Inc
Debi Ferrarello
Maya Sosnov
Jaimee McClellan
Craig Barkan
I Can Arrange That
Painted Home Interiors
Gary Nevitt Jr. Photography
Joanne Jackson Miosi
Romp and Roll in Willow Grove
Serenity Day Spa and Wellness Center
Amenities Salon and Color Studio
Mickey Soskin
Lou Lessen
Frank and Sarah Eloise
Eastern State Penitentiary
Wharton Esherick Museum
Primex Centers
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Longwood Gardens
Arden Theater Company
WXPN
Fifth of a Farm Creations
Institute of Contemporary Art
Brandywine River Museum
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Tranquil Waters of Glenside
Donna Salva
Kildare’s Irish Pub
AMC Theaters
Landmark Theaters
Tom Jugan
Philadelphia Flyers
Dave Buck of the Philadelphia Phillies

Muller, Inc for donating ALL the beer for the occasion!

The Lactation Consultants of the BRC are keeping "abreast"!

If you've gone to the BRC for breastfeeding help, you've met with either Colette Acker or Janice McPhelin. They are both International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. In order to keep their certification, educational requirements need to be met. This year Colette and Janice attended the International Lactation Consultant (ILCA) annual breastfeeding conference in Orlando, Florida. The BRC is committed to providing the best in lactation care and believes continuing education is vital!

The BRC Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week!

On August 1st, 2009, the BRC had a party to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week which is held the first week in August every year. This is a time to increase the world's awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding. The party was well attended! It included:


Food, drink, and conversation amongst families!


Free and "well attended" educational sessions for new parents!


An appearance by the Crestmont Steppers!


Crafts for the older kids……..and Mary Kay "Satin Hands" treatments for the moms!


Free raffle items and BRC gift bags!

None of this could have happened without the dedication of the BRC Staff, Board, Volunteers, and family members! Thank You!


A special thanks to:

Delores Sellers, Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay for providing the "Satin Hands" treatments!

Tracy Brown from Medela for helping attendees learn about the new products available!

Tricia Perez from One Fit Mama for her education program on fitness!

Raffle Item Donors:
Heather Etheridge for donating her hand-made sling!
Delores Sellers of Dee's Adorables for donating a Nursing Cover and Burp Cloth!
Cathy Snyder of Ameda for breastmilk storage products!
Tracy Brown of Medela for donating a full range of breastfeeding products!
Lansinoh for donating a double breastpump!

Board Members, Rachelle Lessen, Andrea Judge, Mary Kline, Craig Barkan, and Curt Parnes for their assistance in the educational programs!

Chloe and Elaina Acker for organizing and manning the "kid's craft table" and the Ritas water ice table.


Rodney Acker for cooking all those hot dogs and hamburgers!


Nancy Osborne for manning the retail area of the office for our 10% off sale.


The BRC staff of Colette Acker, Janice McPhelin, Nancy Osborne, and Jen McClure for pulling this together!


Janice McPhelin and Andrea Judge        Jen McClure and her mother

The BRC Board for all their contributions:
Craig Barkan, MD, FAAP
Georgette Bartell, BSN, IBCLC
Susan Brown, JD
Sylvia Cavanaugh
Claire Hays
Bronwen Henry
Andrea Judge, IBCLC
Mary Kline, MD
Tara Lauletta, RN
Rachelle Lessen MS, RD, IBCLC
Frank Lucard, CPA
Curt I. Parnes, MD, FAAP
Marisa Rogers, MD, MPH
DawnMarie Schulz

And congratulations to all breastfeeding mothers and babies of the world!

Whole Foods 5% Giving Day

Whole Foods of Jenkintown chose the BRC to participate in their 5% Giving Day. This is a wonderful program developed by Whole Foods to help non profit organizations in the area get exposure and get money! Whole Foods gives the non profit 5% of all the sales of the day. Members of the BRC staff and Board of Directors spent the day at Whole Foods on March 25th passing out information and raising awareness about the organization. Whole Foods representative, Dana Sommers and her daughter presented the BRC with a check in the amount of $3,680.00 in May.

Glaxo Smith Kline Award the BRC $40,000!

GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, has announced the recipients of the GlaxoSmithKline 12th Annual IMPACT Awards for providing access to community healthcare services. Each Pennsylvania-based nonprofit will receive a $40,000 award. The Breastfeeding Resource Center will be one of the recipients!

Mary Linda Andrews, GlaxoSmithKline Director of Community Partnerships says, “All of the GlaxoSmithKline 12th Annual IMPACT Award winners are committed to the idea that everyone should have better access to healthcare and that no one should fall through the cracks. These organizations are on the front lines as change agents, working to build stronger and healthier and communities. They are all deeply committed to their work and clients.”

To qualify for a GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Award, applicants must provide access to community healthcare services (primary mission) in the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery or Philadelphia; have a total annual operating budget of less than $2.5 million; and have been in existence as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for at least five years. A panel of local and national healthcare delivery experts and GlaxoSmithKline representatives determined the winners based on a strong demonstration of ongoing success in providing access to healthcare; commitment to serving people in need; facilitation of healthcare delivery, education, creative partnerships and policy development; and a solid record of achievement, management and leadership. For more details on the GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards, visit www.gsk-us.com and click “Our work with communities,” then click “Health programs,” then click “Awards”

“The BRC is so excited about this award”, stated Director, Colette Acker. After working so hard for the past six years, it’s such a satisfying feeling to get recognition of this magnitude. We are so thankful to GSK and plan to continue our hard work!”




The BRC Staff and Board accepting their award at the Glaxo Smith Kline celebration.

Breast Fest '08

Yet again, the BRC's annual fundraiser proudly named, Breast Fest, was a big success! The evening becomes not only a way to raise money to keep the BRC's programs going, but a time to celebrate all the work that goes into its success. Board members, staff, friends, families and colleagues joined together for a great night of eating, drinking, dancing, and bidding on the great items for auction.




The evening began with the board organizing over 75 items to auction. Attendees scrambled to get their last bids in before time ran out!



The music inspired guests to hop out of their chairs and dance. This is the second year the Flamin Caucasians have joined the Breast Fest and they will definitely be asked to come again next year.



An amazing array of food was offerred and enjoyed by all. The meal was complimented by the beautiful embiance of the Cricket Club and the great conversation by guests.



Highlighting some of our special guests.....


In 2003, the BRC was raising money to open it's doors. Miltion and Mickey Soskin donated a big portion of the money needed. Without them, the BRC may have never existed.


The Harrowers were one of the BRC's first clients almost six years ago!


Hannah, here with her husband, gave a testimonial about the BRC at the fundraiser.


This is Director, Colette Acker, with her "favorite" cousin who flew in from Chicago for the second time to attend the Breast Fest.



No non-profit organization can pull off a party like this one without A LOT of work from its Board of Directors and Staff


Board of Directors


BRC Staff


If finding a babysitter is a problem, the problem stops here! The Breast Fest had six volunteer babysitters manning the babysitting room which is steps away from the party. By 10PM, we did let the babysitters and the kids loose to do some dancing.




Don't miss this fabulous fundraiser next year! Keep an eye out for registration information next summer.

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2008!

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every August. This gives breastfeeding advocates an opportunity to spread the word of benefits of breastfeeding. Nothing spread the word more than the banner on the roof of the BRC!



Also, each baby that came to the center in August received one of these cute t-shirts.

One Fit Mama Helps the BRC Raise Funds!

The race was in Annapolis, MD, on Sunday, June 1. The Zooma Women’s Race series was the first jogging stroller 10K and half marathon of its kind in this country. Tricia, owner of One Fit Mama feels that the BRC is a wonderful non-profit organization that is committed to providing the best in breastfeeding care to Moms and Babies of all incomes. One Fit Mama sent a team of over 10 Women (and their babies) down to this race and raised $340 for the BRC. A big thank you to One Fit Mama!!!!

Breast Fest 2007

A Huge Success!

We’re sorry that not everyone was able to attend our annual Breast Fest because it was a party to remember! As you stepped into the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill you were immediately overtaken by the incredible ambiance. One hundred guests attended and enjoyed filet mignon, a pasta bar and the most tantalizing hors d’oeuvres! Nothing beat the incredible homemade pastries donated and prepared by Susan Parnes. Not even a French pastry chef could have had a negative comment! Most guests couldn’t keep seated once the sounds of the Flamin’ Caucasians began. Fabulous baskets of goodies were offered in the silent auction and fish bowl raffle and it sure was fun to watch the expectant faces as the plasma TV winner was announced! Most guests enjoyed a sip or two of great wine or chocolate martinis provided by PINOT “everything but the grape”. Enjoy our pictures and gratitude to all who participated and donated to this year’s fundraiser.


Director, Colette Acker announcing the winners of the fish bowl raffle!


Board Members Karin Buck Zamborsky, Susan Brown, and Marissa LaDuca Crandall having a wonderful time!

The BRC would like to thank our generous contributors to our silent auction items.

Robert and Sylvia Cavanaugh
Milton and Mickey Soskin
Abington Pediatric Associates
Mary Harris
Kaye Lermitt, CD
Kids First Chestnut Hill Pediatrics
Mt. Airy Pediatrics
Jay Freedman, DDS
Howard Edelmen, DDS


BRC Board Member, Curt Parnes encouraging a higher bid from one of the attendees!

Thanks to the following for helping to make Breast Fest a success!

Ambler Flower Shop for the beautiful decorations and assistance with the gift baskets. Mention the BRC with your next order at the Ambler Flower Shop and the BRC will receive a portion of the proceeds!
Sirius Satelite Radio
Advanced AV – www.advancedAV.com
Studio M Foods – www.studiomfoods.com
Learning Express
Hair Cuttery
Salon l’Etoile
Lavender Hill
KYW News Radio
Philadelphia PHILLIES
Philadelphia EAGLES
3000 BC
Cord Blood Registry

And…thanks to Philadelphia Cricket Club for all your generous help and support over the years! Thank you Chef Marc and Tricia!!!!

A special thanks to PINOT “everything but the grape” for joining us.
227 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-627-WINE (9463)
Email: info@pinotboutique.com


Dan Soskin, owner of PINOT serving up some chocolate martinis to the guests.

AND



for truly making it a party! Book them for your next party at www.flamincaucasians.com!


We’d like to thank Sarah Gibson and Holly DePalma for their breastfeeding testimonies!

And finally...

Thanks to the TOP Bidders of this year’s Breast Fest

Kasey Conover
Michael Acker
B. Hibbs
Karin Buck Zamborsky

We appreciate your generosity!

BRC Fundraiser!

5K Walk and Family Fun Day!

The BRC needs grant funding, private donations and money from fundraisers to continue its “much needed” programs.




The 5K Walk and Family Fun Day was the first annual. We hope that the day of exercise, food, dancing, and fun activities will grow each year! If you missed the fun, look below for a glimpse of what you missed and plan to join us next year!

Stretching exercises before the walk were
led by Tricia Perez of One Fit Mama!



Face painting was enjoyed by many little ones!




A moonbounce kept the children happy along
with many of the BRC’s teenage volunteers!




Nail painting was a big hit!



Sponsors displayed their wares at our tables!



Sponsors included:

Gold Sponsor
Capmark Financial

Silver Sponsors
Lisa Chelius of Southern Living at HOME
Catie Haig of The Little Gym of Abington
Tricia Streit Perez of One Fit Mama
Jacquie Schaffer of Mary Kay Cosmetics
LilaGuide.com
Sarah Chew of Tastefully Simple

Bronze Sponsors
Karen Albertini of Discovery Toys
Allison McDonagh of Birth Embrace
Jane McClintock of Quirky Baby
Trimesters Boutique
Aimee Wilson of Once Upon A Family
Crystal Sabalaske of Cluttershrink
Acme Markets

And a special thank you to all of our board members for their contributions!