#4 Kisses for Kyle Wins Scarecrow Competition

Kisses for Kyle Wins Scarecrow Competition, Bucks Happening’s Top 10 of 2010

There were so many great memories that came from the scarecrow festival at Peddler’s Village- Bucks Happening’s first scarecrow making attempt, the girl scouts of troop #21811 showing me how it’s done, and the guys over at Johnsville Centrifuge being such great sports with their “Neil Armstraw” video (see all 3 below).  The Peddler’s Village & Bucks Happening online competition was fierce, but Kisses for Kyle came out on top with 490 votes.  Then the organization’s founder, Sharon Snyder, selflessly raffled off her grand prize, an overnight stay at the Golden Plough Inn, to raise more money for her charitable cause.  The prize couldn’t have gone to a better person as Sharon continues to work tirelessly helping the families of children battling cancer. (more…)

Photo Recap: Bucks Tweet Drive 2010

We are so impressed and touched by the generosity of the BH readers!  We had an awesome turnout tonight at Triumph Brewing Company of New Hope.  Thanks to you, dozens of children in the Bucks County area who wouldn’t otherwise have gifts this holiday will be receiving gifts (via Red Cross of Lower Bucks).  Good times had by all!!  (more…)

Join us for the Bucks Holiday Tweet Drive

You thought we’d let you go through the holiday season without a Bucks Happening happy hour?  Of course not! This time, we’ve teamed up with the local organizers of the Holiday Tweet Drive, a nation-wide toy/clothing drive that will use social media to give back to children who are less fortunate and spread some holiday cheer along the way.

It’s simple, bring a new toy or article of clothing to Triumph Brewery on Monday, December 13th at 7pm and then join in the big holiday celebration.  We’ll bring fun raffle prizes; Triumph will bring the delicious beer, and all you need to bring is a toy and your party shoes! Each donation will go to the American Red Cross Homeless Shelter in Levittown, PA. (more…)

Community Spotlight: The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy

Thanksgiving Guide

Gobble Gobble!  Thanksgiving officially marks the start of the holiday season. And since things are always hectic we figured we could make it easy by giving you the inside scoop. It’s most important to focus on all that you are thankful for, but of course that comes with a great meal and some fun activities (you know falling asleep on the couch after dinner with football in the background). Bucks County is no stranger to the tradition and there is plenty of going on.

GIVE BACK:

Black Tuesday – Make your holiday purchases early and stock up on goodies for your Thanksgiving celebration on Tuesday, November 23rd from 6-9pm! Help support local mom crafters and businesses as well as raise money for a local charity. There will be vendor tables, a basket raffle (including a BeMe Box!) and a refreshment booth. Proceeds from the raffle and refreshments go to Quilts for Kids. The event will be held at the Yardley Community Center. (more…)

Happening Kids: Empowering Orphans

Most nine year old children busy their days with school-work, sports, activities, and friends.  Yardley-resident Neha Gupta, though, was no ordinary nine year old. Five years ago, Neha founded the charity, Empower Orphans to “elevate the well being of orphaned children and empower them to succeed, by helping them help themselves.”

Since then, Neha has remarkably raised almost $50,000 towards providing the 143 million orphans world-wide with educational resources, skill-set trainings, food, clothing, and health cares.  Now a freshman at Pennsbury High School, Neha continues to expand the reach of the organization. With mature goals and an overall well-thought out perspective on life, it’s so easy to forget that Neha is still only 14 years old. Check out more about Neha and Empowering Orphans in our interview below. (more…)

Sarah Palin Arrives in Bucks

While daughter Bristol awaits her fate on Dancing with the Stars , former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will perform her own fundraising tango today in Bucks County.

Palin will speak to students and teachers at the Plumstead Christian School on Tuesday afternoon.  Afterwards, she’ll attend an early 4:30pm dinner at the Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant in Peddler’s Village, where attendees will receive an autographed copy of Palin’s book, “Going Rogue,” all for the cool price of $750 per ticket. 

After dinner, Sarah will deliver a Founders Forum address and answer questions from Plumsteadville Christian School students, with tickets running $75-$250 per person. A tribute to military veterans and performances by student musicians at the school’s Plumsteadville campus will close out the festivities.

Bucks Happening’s Weekly Guide

Welcome to November!  With Halloween behind you, there are just a few weeks to relax before the big holiday season arrives. Get out this weekend and enjoy the last few weeks of mild autumn weather. There is always something fun and exciting to do around Bucks.

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Celebrate a life, help end leukemia, and have a laugh too!

On January 19, 2005, just a few short months after graduating from Duke University, my friend Greg Wolf succumbed to leukemia. He fought a truly heroic battle.  He was diagnosed while studying abroad in London in the fall of 2002.  With the strength and resolve that you maybe find in 1 in a million people, Greg began his treatment in London, and finished up his semester.  He did not return to Duke for spring semester.  Rather, he took on a full course load at the University of Pennsylvania, undergoing treatment while living at home.  While the rest of us spent the summer after junior year in an internship, Greg underwent a bone marrow transplant.  For those who are familiar with the procedure, you will especially appreciate that he made it back to Duke in time to start his senior year, his cancer in remission. Greg graduated on time with his class, but a few months after graduation, his cancer came back with a vengeance. I remember speaking to Greg on the phone on his 23rd birthday, just a few days after a very serious hospital stay.  Though things were extremely serious, he was still so lighthearted on the phone.

The Greg Wolf Fund was established on January 19, 2005, to commemorate the life of Gregory Joseph Wolf, by his family and by friends who feel privileged to have had Greg touch their lives. Throughout his twenty-three years, Greg led a beautifully vibrant and full life.  It was during Greg’s battle with leukemia that his spirit, fierce determination and sense of humor in dealing with every aspect of his daily life gave strength to all around him. The mission of this fund is to honor Greg’s life as a “man for others,” and to perpetuate his generous spirit by giving back to the institutions and organizations that ultimately defined Greg’s life, in health, and in sickness.

The fund makes contributions to the hospitals and foundations that so caringly treated and supported Greg:

• The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
• St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, England
• The Duke University Medical Center
• The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

It also supports the institutions that most influenced Greg’s life:

• St. Joseph’s Preparatory School
• The Newman Center at Duke University

The fund contributes its resources not only to fund research in the fight against blood cancers, but also to aid in the care and comfort of young cancer patients and their families. The Board of Directors, Officers and Members of the Advisory Board of The Greg Wolf Fund pledge to all of those who support the Fund, whether through contributions or service, to ensure that Greg’s spirit, indomitable will to live, deep faith in God, and love of humankind will live on and will triumph in the battle against cancer.

George Wolf, Greg's Dad

Dr. Lister, who first treated Greg in London

George Wolf, Greg's Dad

Greg's Dad, George Wolf, along with Greg's brother Joe and sister Maura, with their donation to St. Bart's

Kisses for Kyle Wins The Golden (Plough) Ticket

Peddler's Village & BH toast Sharon Snyder of Kisses for Kyle

Last month, we announced that Kisses for Kyle won the grand prize in the Peddler’s Village Online Scarecrow Competition.  In just their first year entering the Peddler’s Village competition & display, the local charity’s founder, Sharon Snyder, was thrilled to take home the grand online prize, an overnight stay at the Golden Plough Inn donated by Peddler’s Village (valued at $325)!

Almost a decade ago, after the tragic loss of her son to Leukemia, Sharon Snyder founded Kisses for Kyle.  She bravely channeled her grief into a passion for helping the families of children with Leukemia. Her experience showed her first-hand how difficult it is to receive the necessary financial and emotional support while caring for a child battling cancer.  Along with many volunteers, Sharon works day and night to run events and programs to assist these families. (more…)