Residents, nonprofits gather to support local women, girls

WEST CHESTER » Under the leafy treetops of Kerr Park in Downingtown, local nonprofits, residents, food trucks and craft vendors and dedicated volunteers gathered on Oct. 14 to celebrate Chester County Fund for Women and Girls (CCFWG)’s decades-long commitment to improving the lives of women and girls.

Community Fest featured 11 local nonprofit organizations; a female icon photo booth complete with Polaroid souvenirs; and sand art, face painting and balloon animals courtesy of a clown. The 20th Anniversary Committee Chair and former Board Chair Mary Lou Sterge emceed the event, and the Hytha Family Band entertained the crowd with live music.

“Chester County Fund for Women and Girls is pleased to give the community a chance to learn about us and meet our nonprofit partners and womenowned business vendors. We think of it as our thanks to the community for being a driving force of our work over the last 20 years,” said CCFWG Executive Director Michelle Legaspi Sánchez.

During the afternoon program, CCFWG founder Mary Ann Wagner recounted the powerful history of an organization that began at the dining room tables of its founding and earliest champions. Both former and current Girls Advisory Board (GAB) members spoke about their experiences with the landmark girls’ grantmaking program, and Dolly Wideman-Scott, Executive Director of one of the first grantees, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC), shared the positive impact on DVCCC’s growth and development over the past 20 years.

While reflecting on the successes of the day, CCFWG also thanked event sponsors Green Mountain Energy and Poretta & Orr for their support. CCFWG looks forward to more opportunities to connect with the community throughout the year – and welcome both longtime supporters and new friends of the fund to help celebrate its 20-year history.

For more information or to inquire about event sponsorship opportunities, contact Cindy Jaros, Development Director, at 484-3560940 or cjaros@ccfwg.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Chester County residents and nonprofits gather at a Community Fest in Downingtown to support local women and girls.