Lauren Rose Albert FoundationN E W S L E T T E R — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0

The LRAF’s “An Evening of Mystery,” a dinner theater and charity auction, was a rollicking success due to the generous participation of donors, sponsors and guests who enjoyed a humorous Sherlock Holmes Who Done It? presented by Riddlesbrood Touring Company. The sold-out event, held at Tavistock County Club on October 29, included a delicious three-course dinner and featured the renowned Mothers Matter Basket Auction showcasing creative and fabulous gift baskets filled to the brim with donations of products and gift certificates from area merchants. A Silent Auction of unique and enticing items attracted a great deal of interest and lively bidding.

A listing of our event sponsors and auction contributors appears inside and on the LRAF website:www.laurenslegacy.org.

Mothers Matter

Year-Round Initiative

INSIDETHIS

ISSUE

Emergency Grants —

Changing Lives One Mother at

a Time

2010 “Lauren Rose”

Award Winners

LRAF/CC Bar Foundation“Suited for

Work” Project

Riddlesbrood actor entertains Event Chair Rita Shusted, Senator Fred Madden (center right) and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (far right).

Burlington County College President Dr. Robert Messina (far right), LRAF President Susan Rose and BCC Foundation Board Member Sterling Martin III view auction items.

Gloucester County College President Dr. Russ Davis (second from left) and LRAF President Susan Rose (center) with LRAF scholarship recipients Kim Byrd, Kat Roberts and Yvonne Glenn.

Kimberly

“You need certain things in your life in order to succeed in your life,” Kimberly said, “and the most important is education.” Growing up, she wasn’t encouraged to pursue higher education and now realizes that in order to “do better for myself and my son and to set a good example for him,” earning her degree is a necessity.

She’s currently facing many challenges. Recently diagnosed with Lyme Disease, she works full-time, takes two or three college courses a semester and is raising a two year-old son on her own. She has also assumed responsibility for her 18 year-old sister, who lives with her and is also pursuing a degree at Cumberland County College.

A former flight attendant who had to stop flying due to her pregnancy, she now works as a school bus attendant but is considering returning to flying if she can coordinate a work schedule that would enable her to continue her college courses. She is pursuing a career in child psychology or social work and is particularly interested in crisis counseling because “when I was a child I went through crisis myself and did not get the help I needed.”

She’s grateful for the LRAF scholarship because “it doesn’t seem there are a lot of scholarships available in this field. I was so excited when I learned it had been awarded to me.”

s Meet Our Mothers!

In each newsletter “Meet Our Mothers!” profiles one or more of the mothers who arebenefiting from the Foundation’s services. These women continue to amaze us as they challenge adversity

through their hard work, dedication and strength of character.

Susan Rose, president and founder of LRAF, was recently honored with New Jersey Monthly’s Seeds of Hope

Award, which recognizes “the most dedicated volunteers in the state” who are truly making a difference through

their volunteerism. On September 21, a group of LRAF volunteers traveled to The Crystal Plaza in Livingston,

New Jersey for the Awards Ceremony and Luncheon. Pictured (left to right) are Anne Cutler, Elizabeth

Amoroso, Susan Rose, Eileen Glasser, Don Colanero, Judy Shorr, Donna Davis and Claire Carmody.

The Lauren Rose Legacy of Love, Laughter and Light Award is presented annually to LRAF volunteer(s) for their dedication to honoring Lauren’s memory and ensuring that her legacy continues to make a real difference in the lives of women facing difficult challenges. A committee comprised of all the former award winners selects each year’s recipient(s). The 2010 honorees, Anne Cutler and Louisa Coffin-Tilsner (center left and right), are shown here with prior winners Claire Carmody, Lisa Moriarty, Steve McBride and LRAF President Susan Rose.

Emergency Grant Program: Changing Lives One Mother at a TimeUnfortunately, these are desperate times for many mothers who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. The LRAF can provide a welcome lifeline to those mothers whose urgent unmet needs are “falling through the cracks” of agency or government assistance. Partnering with organizations such as People in Transition, Rowan University Daycare, Greater Collingswood Daycare and Guadalupe Family Services, LRAF provides small grants for critical support that will make a difference in a mother’s ability to pursue her education, secure a job, remain employed or address her family’s basic needs. Through the program, grants have been provided for tuition, professional licensing fees, insurance, car repairs, medical bills, utilities, food, clothing and rent.

It’s a mission with a significance that has recently been recognized by another Cherry Hill Foundation — the Ravitz Family Foundation, which generously donated $1,000 to the Emergency Grant Program.

The program helps women like Shirley, who has been assisted by both the LRAF Scholarship and Emergency Grant programs.

URGENT REQUEST: Mothers Matter Program Seeks Year-Round LocationThe search is still ongoing for a permanent location for the Mothers Matter program. “The situation is critical,” said LRAF President Susan Rose, “because the facility we currently use is available to us for only six weeks — from the last week in March through Mother’s Day. During that time we collect and process more than 50,000 products and assemble them into nearly 3,000 gift bags. This abbreviated schedule takes a significant toll on our committee — all volunteers — who must oversee and coordinate this massive effort in such a short time.”

According to Rose, the 2011 Mother’s Day distribution may have to be reduced to “ease the pressure” on volunteers if the organization cannot locate a suitable “and affordable” permanent location.

“The fact that our volunteers have been able to assemble and distribute nearly 16,000 Mother’s Day gift bags since 2001 is indeed a miracle” noted Rose. “Now we need another miracle to bring us a permanent home for Mothers Matter.” Please email any ideas or suggestions you have for a permanent location to mothersmatter@gmail.com.

It’s the “Giving” Time of Year!As you shop for holiday gifts and plan your year-end donations, we hope you will add the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation to your list! Your gift will benefit mothers in need in South Jersey who are working hard to achieve a better and brighter future for their families.

Please mail your contribution payable to: Lauren Rose Albert Foundation 106 Kenwood Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

Or you can go online to www.laurenslegacy.org and make a gift using PayPal.

Shirley’s StoryShirley learned a lot about how it feels to be a patient during her recent battle against breast cancer. Now that she is proudly a survivor, she is putting what she learned to good use as she pursues a nursing career. “Being sick myself has made me much more compassionate,” she said.

Originally enrolled at Cumberland County College several years ago, Shirley had to interrupt her education because of her illness. The LRAF Emergency Grant Program provided her with tuition funds for a nursing course she needed to repeat due to the disruption. She’s happy to be back in the program and overcomes her day to day challenges with the help of family, friends, her counselor and her church.

She was also awarded an LRAF book scholarship. “I never received a scholarship in my life and I was facing financial difficulties so I was so grateful.”

In addition to her busy class schedule, she’s raising four children, ages 20, 19, 15 and 14, as well as working more than 30 hours a week.

“My quality of life will improve greatly when I become an RN and fulfill my dream of a career in the healthcare field,” Shirley said.

Mothers Matter Every Day Underway!Five groups have been selected by the Mothers Matter Core Committee to participate in the pilot program of Mothers Matter Every Day. Virtua Fox Chase Cancer Program in conjunction with the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey, Inc.’s “In the Pink” Project; CHOP, St. Malachy Church, People in Transition and a domestic violence counseling group will partner with LRAF in a year-round gift bag distribution effort.

Each group will receive custom gift bags containing special items requested by recipients as well as women’s personal care and beauty products. In October, the “In the Pink” Project provided 125 gift bags filled with pink-colored products to the Virtua Fox Chase Cancer Center and the first of four scheduled deliveries to CHOP of 50 Mothers Matter gift bags will be made early in December. Mothers of patients in the Oncology and Transplant units at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania will receive the gift bags. According to Anne Baker, the Child Life representative for this unit, “The Mothers Matter Project is a fabulous idea. So many times the attention and support is given to the patients, but the moms play such a vital role in helping their children cope in the hospital.”

Mothers Matter Project Coordinator Kathy McKenna has a personal connection with CHOP, as her daughter Kristy spent many weeks there while grandson Dylan underwent treatment for Neuroblastoma. Her experience resulted in the idea for a special addition to the CHOP packages — a writing journal or diary. “The journal will allow mothers to keep a daily log or just write down their feelings, because I know it was tough when everyone else had to be at work and Dylan and I were alone,” Kristy said.

Cadette Girl Scout Selects Mothers Matter for Community Service ProjectAfter seven years of helping assemble Mothers Matter gift baskets with her scout troops, 13-year-old Kat Konefsky wanted to make a more significant contribution to Mothers Matter as part of her community service requirements for the Girl Scout Silver Award. The award has several requirements but the Scout must devote at least forty hours of service to the project. Kat interviewed Susan Rose, LRAF President, about possible projects and they decided that the need for year-round collection locations was the most pressing and one she would like to address.

Kat developed the concept, prepared the necessary documentation for approval by the Girl Scout Council of Central and Southern New Jersey and began a search for collection locations. She reached out to various medical and dental offices starting with the chiropractic office of Dr. Paul Merlino III in Cherry Hill. She now has four locations that will serve as year-round collection sites for Mothers

Matter donations. The outdoor signs identifying Mothers Matter locations posted at all sites as well as smaller totes and brochure holders were donated by Kat using a portion of her Bat Mitzvah gift money.

“I am so impressed with Kat’s determination to make this project a success,” Mrs. Rose said. “She is truly demonstrating the spirit of perseverance and service that is exemplified by both the Girl Scouts and Mothers Matter.”

Mothers Matter Year-Round Collection Sites:

Kadar Orthodontics485 Hurffville-Crosskeys RdSewell, NJ 08080www.gokadar.com

Mothers Matter 2011 is dedicated to the memory of Debra Tennenbaum —

a good friend and devoted Mothers Matter volunteer.

Cadette Scout Kat Konefsky with Dr. Hal Hirsch.

Dr. Paul Joseph Merlino III, DC1435 Route 70 EastCherry Hill, New Jersey 08034

Dr. Hal M. Hirsch, DMD1350 Chews Landing RoadClementon, NJ 08021-2702www.halhirschdmd.com

Dr. M. William Kozuch, DDS520 Beckett Rd Ste 100Logan Township, NJ 08085

The Lauren Rose Albert Foundation is pleased to acknowledge the generosity of oursponsors, donors and auction contributors

SPONSORS & DONORS

ABC Discount Appliances & VideoThe Albert FamilyJonathan, Rachel, Sarah and Jake AlbertAll Marble, Granite & Tile Imports, Inc.all Risk Property Damage ExpertsApplied Engineering & TechnologyThe BankSenator Jim BeachDiane and Bernie BlumBMW of the Main LineBurlington County College FoundationThe Carmody FamilyColdwell Banker Elite, RealtorsComcastConner StrongJoseph (Greg) Damone — Prudential Fox & Roach RealtorsRocco A. DePersia, Attorney at LawDependable Land Maintenance & Tree

Service, LLCDonald A. Devlin, CPADiener Brick CompanyDSA CAT Emergency Restoration

SpecialistsFerring Pharmaceuticals — Susan K. SchwartzFirstrust Financial Resources, LLCSara M. Fonseca, DDSEileen and David GlasserAssemblyman Louis D. GreenwaldMarjorie and Jeffrey HonickmanJeff’s Down to Earth, Inc.Just ClaimsKadar OrthodonticsPeter Kahn, CPA — Matson, Driscoll & DamicoSenator Fred MaddenThe McBride FamilyAssemblyman Paul MoriartyNational Claims Adjusters and

Consultant Group, Inc.NuStarDr. Michele PicconeProfessional Recovery ServicesPSEGRavitz Family FoundationDr. Bernard A. Rawlins and FamilyAmy Rose-Rivas, Esq.Dr. and Mrs. Richard RothmanRothman Institute OrthopaedicsSamaritan HospiceSpectrum MarketingNan and Bill StoneRobert Sutphen — Mutual of OmahaTriple-T Cutting Tools, Inc.ValeroVirtua

Partial list.

Event Committee members Denise Lloyd and Maria Garbe with LRAF Board Member Stuart Rose.

Event Committee Members (left to right) Denise Lloyd, Phyllis Kalmey, Tina Catrambone, Maryellen Martin,Donna Davis, Rita Shusted, Susan Rose & Marcia Jenkins (not pictured: Maria Garbe).

AUCTION CONTRIBUTORS

A Taste of OliveAlbert’s TransportationAll Fired Up Pottery StudioAnthony’s RistoranteApplebee’sApronArts PlusArden Theatre CompanyBarry Cox PhotographyBerman JewelersBMW of the Main LineBon Bon PartiesBounce UCabnet GoldsmithsCamden RiversharksCarl’s ShoesCharlie’s Other BrotherKatherine CheethamChef Chun’sCherry Hill Health & Racquet ClubChristmas Tree ShopsClancy’s RestaurantCollingswood Book TraderCreamy AcresCreed’s Seafood & SteaksCrepe & Ribbon

Cup O’Doodles CupcakesCurious ParentsDuffield’s FarmFamily TiesMary FerraraFlagship Mortgage CorporationFuture FitnessGoju-Ryu Martial Arts AcademyGold Medal Family KarateGolden Inn Hotel & ResortHaddon Hair DesignHaddonfield Floral CompanyImages Hair SalonIn the Knick of TimeIntelco of Delaware ValleyInternational Sports, Skating & Fun CentreStacey JenningsJoe PesceJulian Hair & Color StudioKaminski’sBrian KosaKunkel’s RestaurantThe LaboratoryLa CampagneLamberti RestaurantsLaurel LanesThe Little TunaMacy’s By AppointmentMaestro StudiosMaggiano’s Little ItalyMain Street PubManhattan BagelsMartino Cartier of Giovanni & PileggiMcCormick & Schmick/ William Douglas SteakhouseMilanese PizzaMoorestown Running CompanyMorey’s PiersNifty FiftiesNunzio’sOmni HotelPasta PomodoroPattern’s Beauty SalonPeter Pan/TR BellPinsetter Bar & BowlPonzio’sThe PubRoyal FitnessRuth’s HallmarkMary SchultzSerendipityShopRite Supermarkets of Cherry HillSilver DinerSmart BodiesJoe SpatolaSpice SalonStation House RestaurantTaylor’s Beauty ShopTimmons Barber ShopTortilla Press CantinaTotal WineTreccia SalonTwo Country DucksViolins by MitchellMike Wald

Lauren Rose Albert Foundation106 Kenwood DriveCherry Hill, NJ 08034

E-Mail: mothersmatter@gmail.com • Tel: 856.428.7673 • Fax: 856.368.0800Website: www.laurenslegacy.org

LRAF and CCBF Launch New InitiativeThe Lauren Rose Albert Foundation and Camden County Bar Foundation are teaming up to help economically disadvantaged mothers who are seeking employment or career advancement through a new program, “Suited for Work.”

Donations of career-oriented clothing are being sought to help LRAF current and prior scholarship and emergency grant recipients dress appropriately for that all-important job interview or for their day-to-day apparel needs once they have landed the position. An on-line application request will include clothing size and preferences, such as pants suits and dresses. A member of the LRAF “Suited for Work” team will contact the applicant for a one-on-one personal interview and wardrobe advice. The specific request resulting from this interview will be forwarded to Camden County Bar Association members for donations.

“The opportunity to seek meaningful employment or career advancement should not be hindered by lack of appropriate clothing,” said LRAF President Susan Rose. “You only get one chance to make a good first impression and knowing you look good is a great confidence builder.”

Pictured (left to right) Joseph A. McCormick, Jr., Esq., CCBF President; Brenda Lee Eutsler, Esq., CCBA First Vice-President; and Susan Rose, LRAF President.