Knitting with Helen

 Once a month, a group of women come together at Gilda’s to knit, crochet and enjoy one another’s company.  Helen, Gilda’s resident knitting guru, serves as the leader of the group, knowledgeably dispensing wisdom and advice whenever needed. All experience levels are in the group, with some women more advanced and some just starting out. The women are currently working on kitchen towel holders and scarves to be sold at our upcoming Alex Boyes Memorial 5K Run/Walk! The women say that knitting is extremely therapeutic, and it’s a great way to keep busy when they are sick. The group is warm, fun, supportive, and very talented to boot.

Some lovely ladies knitting!

Knitting with Helen meets once a month (except July and August). Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels welcome. Beginners–don’t be afraid to join this amazing group! Check out the program calendar on our website for more information!

 

Behind the Red Door: 10 Questions with Lena Marder, Program Director

Gilda’s Club Delaware Valley: How did you get involved with Gilda’s Club?

Lena Marder: I actually found about Gilda’s Club through the wife of one of my staff at my old job. She always talked about Gilda’s Club, yet I never knew it existed. My thesis was in pediatric oncology and my original intent was to work in this field, but the job never presented itself. So when she said they were looking for a Program Director, I sent in my resume and the rest is history.

GCDV: What is your favorite Gilda’s Club memory?

Lena: I always laugh when I think about how my chair was turned around in the opposite direction when I came in one morning right after I started working here. I still think it was the ghost.

GCDV: What do you love most about Gilda’s Club?

Lena: The feeling you get when walk in the door–it is something special that you simply can’t describe to other people.

GCDV: What are you most proud of at Gilda’s Club?

Lena: I think that I most proud of not a program or an event, but the program staff. They do such a phenomenal job with limited resources and a lot of heart.

GCDV: Outside of Gilda’s Club, where could we find you?

Lena: Probably down at the Jersey Shore with my family.

GCDV: If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Lena: I think I would want to twitch my nose, like Samantha in Bewitched, and be able to do whatever I wanted.

GCDV: Favorite hobby?

Lena: My favorite hobbies are cooking, drawing, and reading. I am also currently learning to play golf so I enjoy that as well.

GCDV: What is the last book you read?

Lena: Broken for You, which is the book club book right now at the Doylestown Hospital GC satellite.

GCDV: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with the money?

Lena: I think I would put some away, give some to my kids, give some to Gilda’s Club and then go on a big trip.

GCDV: What is your favorite movie?

Lena: The Wizard of Oz. I watched it for nearly a year straight when my son was young, and I think I can recite nearly every word.

Gilda’s Members Learn About Financial Myths

Brian Sykes and Tim Lederer from Independence Planning Group visited Gilda’s Club on Tuesday, June 14th to teach attendees about important strategies to know before and after retirement.  The goal was to give answers to things that are commonly misunderstood or confusing.  Some helpful information Brian and Tim shared was to get an umbrella policy for your auto insurance, protect your largest asset (you) by carrying disability insurance, and that everyone should have a will, power of attorney and living will in order to maintain control.

Behind the Red Door: 10 Questions with Bunny Boyle, Member Services Coordinator

Gilda’s Club Delaware Valley: How did you get involved with Gilda’s Club?

Bunny Boyle: My husband had lung cancer. My friend Diane Schwartz persuaded me to come, it took her a while to convince me, but eventually I did. I was a member before I was staff.

GCDV: What’s your favorite Gilda’s Club memory?

Bunny: When Joanne came to Turkey Bingo with her son who was just back from Afghanistan–it was a touching moment.

GCDV: Name one of your Gilda’s Club heroes.

Bunny: My Gilda’s Club hero is Patty Powers. She just keeps on going and is so upbeat and cheerful and supportive of everyone.

GCDV: What do you love most about Gilda’s Club?

Bunny: All of the hugs that I get. Gilda’s Club is just such a nice place to be.

GCDV: Who do you most admire and why?

Bunny: Kelly Harris. She is the most giving person I know and always puts Gilda’s Club first. I just think she is remarkable.

GCDV: Outside of Gilda’s, where’s your favorite place to be?

Bunny: Paris

GCDV: Favorite book? Movie?

Bunny: To Kill A Mockingbird and Hello, Dolly!

GCDV: Favorite hobby?

Bunny: Quilting

GCDV: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Bunny: Walk the whole world and be wherever I wanted to be.

GCDV: Name one thing people are surprised to learn about you.

Bunny: I come from a big family.

Community Gathers for Gilda’s “Taste of the Town”

Gilda’s Club celebrated its eighth anniversary on Sunday, June 5 with its annual “Taste of the Town” event. About 300 people gathered at the clubhouse to enjoy an evening of food and entertainment, including music, balloon animals, face-painting and pony rides.

The event album is available on Gilda’s Club’s facebook page. Check it out!

Thank you to our event committee and day-of volunteers for all your hard work! And a special thanks to the local business and individuals who donated their time, talents, and food to make this event such a success:

Absolute Music School

Angelo’s Sempre Famiglia

Asian Taste Inn

Baci

The Basciano Family

Bonnet Lane

Cookie the Clown

Desserts by Design

Genuardi’s

Giant

Graeme Park Pizza

Ivyland Country Store

Lily Roth

Maggio’s

Outback Steakhouse

Seasons Hearth & Patio

Sodexo

Soprano’s

Tony’s

“Unsafe at Any Speed”

The VE Club

Wegmans

Yum Yum Donuts

Golf Tournament Raises $30,000 for Gilda’s

Thanks to the 2011 Gilda’s Golf Committee, staff, board, and volunteers — and, of course, our amazing sponsors and golfers — for another wonderful Golf Tournament! We raised $30,000 to help Gilda’s Club continue to provide its vital social and emotional support programs at no cost for men, women, and children living with any cancer diagnosis — or living with a loved one’s diagnosis — in the Delaware Valley! Thank you!

Basket Bingo Event Raises $22,000+ for Gilda’s

Thanks to everyone who supported Gilda’s Club by sponsoring our 12th Annual Basket Bingo event, donating an item for our event auction, or joining us for a fabulous day of fun! Because of you, we raised more than $22,000, which will help ensure that any man, woman, or child living with any cancer diagnosis — or living with a loved one’s diagnosis — in the Delaware Valley can receive free access to our program of social and emotional support.

Photos of the event are available on our Facebook page. Check them out!