The Women's Leadership Initiative raised $7,000 on November 3rd with its seventh annual Power of the Purse fundraiser.

The event, held at the Crayola Factory on Easton's Centre Square, brought in nearly $3000 more than last year.

Fifteen vendors participated, and more than 110 people turned out to shop for custom handbags, jewelry and other accessories to help raise money for the Women's Leadership Initiative's signature projects.

The projects provide scholarships to women studying in the fields of health and human services, fund classes for women working and obtaining their degrees in early childhood education and support literacy-based after-school programs at Central Elementary School in Allentown.

Katie Loeb-Schwab, left, former WLI council chairwoman, and WLI member Ilene Wood socialize and shop for a good cause during the Power of the Purse event.

The members of WLI express our appreciation to Capital BlueCross, PPL, Crayola, and Christine Stazo of Christine's Secret Garden for sponsoring this event.

Thank you to our individual sponsors for their generous support: Anne Baum, Patricia Beldon, Barbara Bigelow, Barbara Diamond, Joyce Dougherty, Bonnie Hall, Tania Hall, Ruth Marcon, Kim Perry, Darlene Pors, Elizabeth Rieland, Julie Westbrooks.

Special thanks go to our fabulous planning committee for such a successful event: Tania Hall, Elizabeth Reiland, Hillary Weiss, Bevin Theodore, Candi Staurinos, Sue Lalo, Barbara Bigelow, Pat Beldon, Carla Hickey and Suzanne Kresge.

WLI Second Signature Project Report

On August 11, 2010, Marci Ronald of the United Way presented an "Investment Report" on the after-school literacy enhancement programming supported by WLI in the fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010.  What follows is a summary of that report:

• 12 programs were available to students with a particular focus on students identified as in need of additional "academic enrichment strategies";
• Of the 220 "slots" available in the 12 programs, 217 were filled, meaning that the programming supported by WLI ran at 98 percent capacity;
• Two group volunteer sessions were convened in the fall of 2009;
• Among a sample group of students who were enrolled in multiple programs during the school year:
• 100 percent improved in either guided reading or writing;
• Of the students who entered the programs at below level in guided reading or writing, 70 percent not only improved but advanced to proficient at grade level;
• Of the students who entered the programs at proficient level in guided reading and writing, 57 percent not only improved but advance to above grade level.

Volunteer Opportunities