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

Community Fest featured 11 local non-profit 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 women owned 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 our 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 the organization has had on DVCCC’s growth and development over the past 20 years.

Event sponsors were Green Mountain Energy and Poretta & Orr.

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

A photo booth complete with polaroid souvenirs was part of the fun. Community Fest featured 11 local non-profit organizations. Face painting and creative activities were part of the day’s fun Oct. 14 in Downingtown’s Kerr Park.

Helping make Chester County Fund for Women and Girls event a success.

Making sand creations in Kerr Park in Downingtown.

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.