YWCA to Honor Business Women at Dinner

YWCA Bucks County, located at 2425 Trevose Road, Trevose, will hold its 20th Annual Salute to Women Who Make a Difference Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 12, at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland.  The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and Silent Auction.

Highlighted by a “Living in Harmony” theme that will feature a musical performance by Bucks County’s premier singing troupe – The Men of Harmony, the 2011 Salute will honor women who have been recognized by their companies, organizations or community groups for their outstanding achievements in serving their organizations and/or the community at large. 

A total of 15 women will be honored by their companies or organizations for their outstanding accomplishments and community contributions, including these three from local companies:

• Kelly Gerrity is bein honored by . Kelly joined Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Inc. in November of 2006.  As Director of Marketing she is an integral part of the Parx Casino team.  She attributes success at Parx to being in touch with the local market and maintaining community involvement.  At Parx, and previously at Philadelphia Park, Kelly has directed community and charitable events in conjunction with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, WMGK Turkey Drop to benefit City Team Ministries, Parx Holiday Dinner and Gift Drive, American Cancer Society, The Women’s Humane Society, and she is a member of the Casino’s College Scholarship Committee.  Kelly takes pride in her role at an organization that has such a positive influence on the community.
• Judy Loftus is being honored by the Rotary Club of Bensalem. Judy owns and operates PrintMasters, a full service printing business in Bensalem.  As a local business person, Judy donates her professional services and her time generously.  Judy designed the Bensalem Police Dept. patch, the K-9 Unit patch and Accident Investigation patch for the Township.  She masterminded and designed the “What’s Goin’ on Around Town” quarterly newsletter for Bensalem that is now produced for more than eight other municipalities in and beyond Bucks County.  Judy has served as president of the Kiwanis Club and has received their Hixon Award.  She serves on the Executive Board for Building a Better Bensalem Together and is their fundraising chair.  Judy’s tireless fundraising on behalf of the Rotary Club of Bensalem,  donating her time and professional services, has helped the club raise thousands of dollars to support community projects such as the Thanksgiving baskets collection for those in need, defibrillators for the police departments and scholarships for high school students. 
• Cara Broadbelt is being honored by GE Water & Process Technologies. At GE Water & Process Technologies, Cara has served as the GE leader of various service committees for  the GE Women’s Network, including “The Healthy Woman” Committee; being a United Way volunteer; and volunteering for the YWCA Holiday Hearts campaign at GE.  She has also led the Bring A Child To Work Day at GE, participated in GE Reading Stars, the Women’s Network Scholarship Campaign, and the YWCA Food Drives at GE.  Cara coaches her son’s soccer team and supports Catholic and Irish charities through the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.  Cara is truly a woman making a difference at home, in the community and at work.

The evening will also feature a Silent Auction with a wide variety of items that include a hot air balloon ride, a trip to Sonoma, California, a cruise on the Chesapeake and a three-day stay at the Jersey shore.

The public is cordially invited to attend.  Tickets for the Salute are $70.00 each, and there are a variety of sponsorship levels available to companies and organizations wishing to nominate a woman to be honored.

Proceeds from Salute to Women Who Make a Difference sponsorships, ticket donations and the Silent Auction support nearly 40 YWCA educational enrichment and social services programs to benefit underserved children, women and families throughout Bucks County – directly in the neighborhoods where they live.

Those interested in attending can contact YWCA Bucks County at 215-953-7793, ext. 115, or e-mail jmbrown@ywcabucks.org.