Not even an impending snowstorm could keep people away from the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund's third annual Wine in Winter event Feb. 5, which raised more than an estimated $40,000.
As the first flakes of the weekend's storm started to come down, a sell-out crowd poured into Normandy Farms Hotel and Conference Center in Blue Bell for the food-and-wine-focused fundraiser.
More than 500 people attended the event, which featured food offerings from local restaurants, wine and beer sampling and a silent auction. All funds from the event went to the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, an Ambler-based charity.
"It really was a remarkable event, especially with the weather," said Peggy Dolan, co-founder and executive director of the fund. "We couldn't have asked for more. Everyone who came was excited, very enthusiastic."
While the weather did cause some registered guests to pull out, the fund was still receiving phone calls the day of the event from people looking for available tickets, according to Lorraine Aurely, director of development.
After being held at LuLu Temple in Plymouth Meeting for the past two years, the fundraiser moved to Normandy Farms this year to accommodate a larger crowd.
The event was split between two ballrooms, with local restaurants offering food samples at tables lining the walls. More than 30 restaurants from across Bucks and Montgomery counties were represented. Additionally, several local wineries, liquor distributors and craft beer companies offered refreshments.
Attendees also were entertained by a DJ in one ballroom, while Upper Dublin High School's Sophisticated Strings orchestra greeted visitors as they came in.
While the food and drink was a huge draw, another was the array of items up for bid in the silent auction.
The three biggest items — a 32-inch screen television, an "instant wine cellar" with $500 worth of wine bottles and accessories and a package of $600 in gift certificates to 14 local restaurants — were awarded through a tombola raffle, with attendees able to purchase tickets.
Tickets for these three items raised nearly $4,000, according to Dolan.
The remaining items went through a silent auction and included a wide range of items, including books, DVD packages, framed artwork, gift baskets, signed sports memorabilia and workout equipment, among many other items.
Perhaps the most sought-after item was a stay at a vacation house in Nags Head, N.C., which incited a bit of a bidding war, according to Dolan. The item's donor then agreed to offer a second trip, with each one bringing in $2,600.
With the money raised from tickets and auction items, Dolan said the foundation estimates it brought in more than $40,000, far exceeding last year's total of $27,000.
"We're just very elated with the results," Dolan said.
The money will go toward the general operating fund of the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, an organization that "is dedicated to easing the burdens of families in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware caring for seriously ill children through advocacy, education and financial assistance with needs not covered by insurance," according to a press release.
"With the economy as bad as it's been, we've had some very awful referrals coming in here," Dolan said. "The needs are so severe, and the success of an event like this will help us elevate what we can do for a family."
Great food, drinks, prizes and music, all in one place to benefit a great local cause — what could make for a better evening?
Back for a third year, the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund’s Wine in Winter event will take place Feb. 5 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Normandy Farm Hotel and Conference Center in Blue Bell.
After taking place at LuLu Temple in Plymouth Meeting the past two years, the event is moving to a new location, and organizers said this year’s Wine in Winter is going to be the biggest and the best yet.
“It’s twice as big as it was last year,” said Peggy Dolan, co-founder and executive director of the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund. After seeing more than 400 attendees last year, Dolan said she expects the event's 550 tickets may sell out.
The reason for the high demand is the event’s top-notch selection of food and drink.
“Right now, we have 31 restaurants and caterers involved and eight wine companies and distributors,” Dolan said. Additionally, Philadelphia Distilling Co. will be providing liquor, and a variety of craft beers will be available.
When attendees arrive at the event, they will receive a bag with a beer glass and a wine glass.
“They take their glassware with them as they go from place to place,” Dolan said. “They suggest the type of wine or beer that would go with [the food]. They learn about wine and the different beers, and they get to sample the offerings of all these different places. There really is something for everyone. We try to get a variety of restaurants and caterers there. It’s a great way to learn about the restaurant community.”
This year’s selections represent a wide spectrum of cuisine — from Mediterranean to Mexican to Irish and everything in between.
“It looks like it’s going to be an international food fest,” Dolan said.
All of the food comes from local establishments in Bucks and Montgomery counties. A full list of the restaurants and caterers is available on the fund’s Web site, www.dolanfund.org.
In addition to dining well, attendees will have the chance to go home as big winners with many great items available in the event’s auction.
The two top items are a 42-inch flat-screen TV and an instant wine cellar. Other items include artwork, gift certificates, jewelry, sports memorabilia and tickets, a YMCA family membership and even a night out to dinner with Ticket’s own Frank D. Quattrone.
The event will be spread across two ballrooms at Normandy Farms, with a DJ providing musical entertainment in one and the Upper Dublin High School Sophisticated Strings performing in the other.
Normandy Farms has also made it easy for people to turn the event into a small weekend getaway, offering a “take the elevator home” special with rooms available for $99.
While the night is sure to entertain all who attend, it will more importantly bring smiles to families who often have a difficult time finding a reason to smile.
All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, an Ambler-based charity that “is dedicated to easing the burdens of families in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware caring for seriously ill children through advocacy, education and financial assistance with needs not covered by insurance,” according to a press release.
“Last year, we netted $27,000, and this year, we’re hoping it’ll be around $35,000,” Dolan said.
All of that money will go to make life easier for local families whose lives have been devastated by life-threatening illnesses — a situation Dolan herself knows far too well.
In March 1972, Dolan’s daughter, Kelly Anne, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, causing her body not to produce enough red and white blood cells and platelets. Her condition developed into a form of leukemia, and she died in 1976 at age 6.
During the four years of Kelly Anne’s illness, Dolan and her late husband, Joe, spent much of their time in hospitals across the country. It was there that the Dolans learned about the financial difficulties many families encounter when their children are ill. Parents lose their jobs when they can’t come to work because they’re at doctors’ appointments; families have to decide whether to pay for medications or rent and utilities.
The day after Kelly Anne’s death, the Dolans established the fund, dedicating themselves to helping families in need. In the 33 years since, the fund has supported more than 18,000 families.
With the current economy, the need the fund is seeing — and the importance of the Wine in Winter event — is at an all-time high.
“We’ve gotten some brutal referrals lately,” Dolan said. “For us, it’s a critical fundraiser. We really need this kind of fundraiser to survive.”
AMBLER-The 10th annual Phil's Tavern 5K saw a record turnout July 15, raising thousands for the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund.
The race, organized by the Ambler Area Running Club, had over 700 total registered participants, according to race director Chris Plominski. The number far exceeded turnouts from previous years.
The event began with a kid's fun run and was followed by the 5K race, which had 670 registered runners, according to AARC official Nathan Relles. Of the 670 who registered, 632 completed the course, according to the AARC's Web site. Last year's event saw around 500 finishers, Plominski said.
The first 500 people who registered received a green Tech-Wick T-shirt with the race's logo.
The AARC will be giving the event’s proceeds to the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund.
The course started and finished at Shady Grove Elementary School. As 7 p.m. neared, hundreds of runners filled the school grounds and lined up along Lewis Lane behind the starting line. The 2007 Horsham Idol, Tammy Tuckey, sang the national anthem before the horn sounded, sending off the runners. Family members and volunteers gathered at both the starting point and finish area to cheer on the runners. The participants completed a 5K course that took them from Shady Grove through the residential streets of Whitpain and then back to the finish line in front of the school building.
The first group of racers crossed the finish line in less than 16 minutes, with Jon Gries winning the overall men's competition with a time of 15:22. The overall female winner was Christa Plummer, who completed the course in 17:57.
After the race, participants gathered behind the school building, where Phil's Tavern, a co-sponsor of the event, provided food for the runners and their families. Race organizers gave out a variety of raffle prizes, including a camping grill, gift certificates and a YMCA membership. The area also featured tables for vendors and charitable organizations.
Among the tables was the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, which sold heated thermoses to raise funding.
The Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund provides uninsured families caring for critically ill and seriously injured children with education, information and financial assistance. The organization works with families across Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but it has close ties with the local community, housing its headquarters in Ambler.
In 1972, Kelly Anne Dolan was diagnosed with a malfunction of her bone marrow, a condition that evolved into a rare form of leukemia four years later. During Kelly's time in and out of hospitals, her parents, Peggy and Joe Dolan, were struck by the conditions of several of the other parents they encountered. For many, the time and money needed to care for a seriously ill child had been detrimental to their finances and many were unable to maintain their jobs, furthering the financial pressure.
When Kelly passed away in late 1976, Peggy and Joe decided they needed to do something to help out these families in need. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the Dolans asked people to donate to their newly started fund. The outpouring of support came immediately. They received $8,000 to use as start-up funds for the charity, and now nearly 33 years later, the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund has helped more than 13,000 families and works with around 1,000 annually.
Peggy said the race was important to help get the fund's mission out during the summer months, when fundraising can often be hardest. She also said fundraising is crucial now due to the current economy.
During the race's awards ceremony, Peggy addressed the runners and thanked them for their support.
"We don't get government funding, so something like this is so important to our survival," she said. "People like you allow us to say, 'Yes, we can help.'"
PHILADELPHIA (CBS-3) When you need help, you would hope
there are those you can turn to to lend a hand and give support. In this week's
Brotherly Love report, Dave Huddleston introduces us to a woman who has made it
her life's mission to help those in their time of need. Kelly Anne Dolan, the
little girl with hazel eyes. But Kelly's life would be short and difficult.
"Kelly took sick when she was two-years-old and she
was just a sweetheart of a kid," said Kelly's mom Peggy.
A child with cancer who was constantly poked and pinched
by doctors and nurses, all the while Peggy Dolan and her late husband Joe,
worked to keep the bills paid. Peggy says it was the kindness of others that
got them through it.
"The people who would leave dinners on the back step
that would be waiting for us when we would come home after spending the entire
day in the clinic," Peggy said.
After years of clinics and hospitals, Kelly Anne couldn't
fight anymore. She died in 1976, right before her 7th birthday.
After grieving, Peggy couldn't forget about the people
she met, families trying to make ends meet with a kid in the hospital.
"We heard about families who would be losing their
homes in the course of taking care of sick kids," Peggy said.
That's why she started the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund.
It helps families in the local area with chronically ill children to pay their
bills. In 32 years, Peggy has helped thousands of families.
"Several million in paying phone bills and electric
bills and car repairs and transportation costs and even burial expenses,"
Peggy said.
And for the past 8 years, she's done more than pay bills.
She's tried to lighten the load with a cruise on the Delaware so families can
forget about their problems for a while.
"It's like one happy family because each family understands
what the other family is going through." Peggy said.
And Peggy understands because she's been there, but plans
to do so much more.
"I know my job isn't quite over," she said.
The amount of money given to each family varies, but
Peggy says, they operate on a $600,000 a year budget to help families in the
area.
