Mary Beth is taking part in "Concerts for a Cure" to benefit cancer research.  It's July 27th from 1-4PM at World Cafe Live.  For more info, visit http://www.myspace.com/concertsforacure

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Sandra Cornelius, Ph.d. is the President of Elwyn, one of the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit human services organizations for the care of adults and children with a wide range of physical, dvelopmental, sensory, and emotional disabilities, as well as those with mental illness, disabilities due to age, and those who are economically disadvantaged.  Elwyn was established in 1852 and is headquartered near Media, PA.

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Emily loves writing about the things closest to her heart...family, friends, and children.  In May, she co-launched her first blog, www.mothersofbrothers.com with Jennifer Reynolds.  This summer, Emily is leading two writing workshops as part of the Swarthmore Writers Room program...one for adults and one for children.

Emily's essays have appeared in The Inquirer and she is a regular contributor to the popular parenting websites, iParenting.com and Babble.com.  Her essay, "No Longer a Rookie" is included in the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Tribute to Moms (2008)

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Do you need a hug? I’ve got just the person for you to meet.  She is Edie Weinstein-Moser, our area facilitator for Cuddle Party. Cuddle Party was conceived in 2004, and is the brainchild of two relationship coaches Reid Mihalko and Marcia Baszynski. A Cuddle Party is a playful social event designed for adults to explore communication, boundaries and affection. The goal is to bring clean, safe, welcomed affection to the world through workshops, training and coaching in the areas of relationships, communication and more, and you don’t even have to get out of your pj’s. In fact, at Cuddle parties, that’s the only necessary attire – pajamas.

Edie says the parties which are held locally and nationally, are meant to help people achieve better intimacy and communication. And, it allows people to express themselves in a comfortable and safe environment. Edie is coordinating a Cuddle Party as we speak, including a Country Cuddlin Party, Sunday August 10^th in Ephrata and a Sweet September Cuddle Party in Newtown Square. Get all the details at www.cuddleparty.com

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The mission of the Lupus Foundation of America is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, support individuals and families affected by the disease, increase awareness of lupus among health professionals and families affected by the disease, and find the causes and a cure. Woman of the Week, Wendy Englehart suffers from Lupus and became involved with the Lupus Foundation of America (Southeastern Chapter) through her daughter’s high school in Springfield , PA. Thankfully, Wendy’s diagnosis does not slow her down, in fact, she’s in amazing shape and works at PureSpa in Ambler, PA. That’s where she and the Spa owner Mimi will do their part to create awareness and provide information about the Lupus Foundation. This Friday (June 20^th) at PureSpa, Main Street Ambler, you’re invited to the first annual art show where you’ll have the opportunity to view (and purchase) art from many local artists. PureSpa is proud to be partnering with the Lupus Foundation of America and will offer 25% off any massage, facial, or body treatment that’s booked this Friday. Merchants from Ambler have donated raffle items, and artists will be making donations to the Lupus Foundation – cocktails and hors d’oeuvers will be served. To learn more about the Lupus Foundation, please visit www.lupus-sepa.org. To learn more about this charity event, visit www.amblerpurespa.com.

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This week’s Woman of the Week is Jen Miller, the quintessential Jersey girl whose specialty is writing about her own backyard, South Jersey. She is also a contributing writer to New Jersey Monthly and has written about the Garden State in various publications including New York Times, AAA World, Philadelphia Inquirer, Bust and Shermantravel.com. She’s put together an upbeat guide on the Jersey Shore that will bring back your own fond memories of heading down the shore as a kid with the family. Jen’s book also reminds you that there’s still great fun to be had at the beach, on the boardwalk, shopping, dining and lots more. The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape (includes the Wildwoods) is a great destination guide with more than 100 maps and photos and Miller’s recommendations you may just want to try for yourself. Learn more about Jen and her guide at www.jenamiller.com.

If you’d like to submit a nominee for the Ben FM Woman of the Week, please email me – Marilyn@957benfm.com

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Madeline began her career in 1983 as a nurse, then moved from nursing to administration in 1989. She is an extraordinary choice for Woman of the Week as she balances husband, family (7 children), her full time position at CHOP and graduate school. When we asked Madeline what she liked best at CHOP, she responded, "every day when I leave my office I know that I've done at least one thing that will make the lives of sick children and their families better. Additionally, I work with very bright and talented people who are committed to caring for sick children or dedicating their careers to developing cures to childhood disease. One thing she would really like to see happen is that all children have equal access to quality health care Her plan is to take CHOP to the next level of innovation. She knows that as the number one children’s hospital in the nation, they cannot rest on their laurels.

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With over 25 years of executive leadership in nonprofit development and fundraising, Ms. Buccino has dramatically widened the Philabundance donor base and strengthened the organizations services and programs.  She has helped expand the role of local corporations to broaden Philabundance’s regional and national donor base to include corporations like Citizen’s Bank, Sunoco and US Airways and more.   In 2007, Philabundance, the region’s largest food relief organization, distributed 17 million pounds of food to its network of agencies serving people in need in the Delaware Valley.  Martha is responsible for cultivating and maintaining an active donor base to support the agency’s activities.  Further, in ’05, she spearheaded the relief effort for the Katrina disasters that positioned Philabundance and the Delaware Valley as the fourth largest food contributor to the Gulf Coast disasters.

June is Children’s Hunger Awareness Month.  Philabundance needs your help for this summer so the 268,000 children who won’t get lunches as part of the national school lunch program this summer will still get meals for June/July and August.  Please log onto www.philabundance.org to get more information and sign up to do a food drive.

WOTW:          How did you get started down this career path?

Martha:           Over the years, I have held positions with various education and healthcare organizations throughout the Delaware Valley including CEO/COO for Hayes Manor Retirement Residence from ’97 to 2000; an 11-year term as VP for Development, Marketing and PR for Memorial Health Alliance (now Virtua): Executive Director of Foundation and Director of Development for Bucks County Community College; VP for Development and Public Affairs for The Medical College of Pennsylvania, and Acting Director of Development and Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations for Thomas Jefferson University.

WOTW:          What brought you to Philabundance?

Martha:           I left my position as President and CEO of the Delaware Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation where I gained valuable experience I’ve been able to utilize at Philabundance.

WOTW:          What gives you the most satisfaction?

Martha:           Honestly, the satisfaction that at the end of the day that I helped put food on someone’s table is inexplicable.  I may not see it, or know the people, but I know that I was part of something that helped another human being in the community.

In addition to her full-time career at Philabundance, Martha is very active in professional organizations in this area.  She is a member of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals, where she served on the Board of the Delaware Valley Chapter; the National Association of Hospital Development; the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education; the National Interpreters of America, and the Data Processing Management Association.  Her civic memberships include:  St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church and the Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd.  Ms. Buccino was born in La Paz, Bolivia, and educated in both the United States and Bolivia, earning a bachelor’s degree from the Universidad De San Andres, La Paz.

There are many ways for you and/or your corporation to get involved at Philabundance so I encourage you to check out their events calendar via their website when time permits.  In fact, this Monday, May 26^th (Memorial Day) there’s a Football-Food Drive-Frenzy at Cooper River Park beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Bring the entire family to play two-hand touch football and spend the day with old and new friends.  Please bring a non-perishable food donation to benefit Philabundance and check the website for a list of essential foods that are needed – www.philabundance.org.

If you’d like to nominate a Woman of the Week, please email me – Marilyn@957benfm.com.  Have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend.

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