CHOICES NEWSLETTER
November 2009
Blue Moon Shines
Supporters of Planned Parenthood came together on a warm Saturday evening for the good of others. The Gronendahl Farm with its picturesque views hosted the Blue Moon Auction that brought more than 150 socially conscious people out to bid on an array of items.
The Blue Moon Auction offered more than 100 silent auction pieces including handmade jewelry, gift certificates for all types of local businesses and works of art. The live auction created a bidding frenzy over one-of-a-kind dining experiences and exotic trips. In addition to winning items, the generous crowd donated to Planned Parenthood’s health care services and education programs; such as our HIV/AIDS testing services and youth education programs.
This year the Auction raised over $70,000 for Planned Parenthood’s reproductive health care services, education programs and advocacy efforts. We would like to thank Debbie Hutchison, long-time Auction chair, and the entire Auction committee for all of their hard work and dedication to the event. A very special thank you goes to Kim and Dutch Gronendahl for hosting the Auction on their lovely farm.
If you would like to join the Auction committee or have an item you would like to donate for next year’s event, please call Laura, Development and Special Events Coordinator, at 215-957-7981, ext. 106 – we are always looking for new committee members and items.
Real Reform includes Women’s Health
What a heated debate it has been over health care reform. Planned Parenthood has been working hard both at the local and national levels to ensure that women are not worse off after reform. We want women to have the same access to all our services that they currently have. What’s more, we’re working to guarantee that women, men and teens will continue to have access to us, as their trusted health care provider.
Since the end of July, we’ve collected petition signatures and photo petitions (see photo for example), attended four town hall meetings, submitted seven letters to the editor (six were published!), and held 13 health care reform vigils in Doylestown.
Thank you so much to everyone who has made this work possible; for sporting your signs in Doylestown; for signing petitions; for participating in the National Day of Action and taking photo petitions! Fantastic job so far!
At the state level in PA we’re ramping up again, lobbying for medically accurate, age appropriate comprehensive sexuality education in public schools. Youth Need Truth!
To find out more information about the current issues we are working on, please contact Meghan at 215-957-7981, ext. 122.
PP Bucks on TV
Planned Parenthood’s very own Director of Education and Training, Alison, was invited to be a guest on Parent Connection, a television show produced by CB Cares. The topic of the show was Sexuality and the Media and highlighted the importance of adolescents receiving age appropriate, accurate information about sexuality. The show touched on where young people would be able to receive this information, specifically at home and in the schools, a service the Planned Parenthood’s Education and Training staff provides to all districts in Bucks County. Unfortunately, not all school districts have the same sexuality education programs or are willing to invite Planned Parenthood into their schools. However, with recent research highlighting the ineffectiveness of abstinence-only programs, schools are now starting to ask us for our highly-trained educators.
To catch the show go to Channel 29 on Comcast or 40 on Verizon. Air times are:
Tuesdays at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and
Sundays at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Know Your Status
It is shocking, but true, that 25% of people infected with HIV don’t even know it. Knowing your status is very important for both prevention and treatment efforts. Planned Parenthood recognizes the importance of people getting tested and is doing something about it in Bucks County. All Planned Parenthood health centers offer confidential HIV/AIDS testing. Planned Parenthood is unique because we are able to offer a variety of testing locations in all parts of the county and convenient office hours (including evenings!) making it easier for people to get tested.
Planned Parenthood is also very proud that we offer Rapid testing at three out of our five health centers, Bristol, Quakertown and Warminster. Rapid testing allows a patient to get their results in about 20 minutes. According to Bucks County statistics, about one-quarter of those individuals tested for HIV never return to learn the results of their test. This is a troubling number and by offering the Rapid testing we can make sure that patients are receiving their test results and can begin treatment and counseling as soon as possible, if they test positive.
Planned Parenthood understands the need for everyone to know their status and is working to eliminate all barriers for every person living in Bucks County. If you don’t know your status or have not been tested recently, call one of our health centers today to schedule an appointment – knowledge is power!
Bensalem – 215-638-0629
*Bristol – 215-785-4591
Doylestown – 215-348-0555
*Quakertown – 215-536-2684
*Warminster – 215-957-7980
*Offer Rapid HIV testing
MARKETING, MARKETING
Marketing is key for any nonprofit organization, or for profit agency, especially when trying to weather throuh challenging times. Planned Parenthood recognizes the importance of thi and has taken a very procative approach over the last few months to strategically plan how to market our services and programs in BucksCounty. Our dedicated Marketing Committee, along with staff, has been working around the clock to build our messaging and find appropriate media outlets to place our marketing pieces.
We are very happy to announce that our advertisements will be seen in the upcoming weeks in the following places:
- Neshaminy and Warrington Movie Theatres before all movies begin
- Penny Pincher Magazine which covers the Quakertown, Warminster and Doylestown areas
- Bucks County Woman Magazine
Please click here to view the different ads and collateral pieces that will be used to market our services and programs.
RECOGNIZING MAJOR SUPPORTERS
As you know Planned Parenthood is an organization that is supported by local community members – in fact our agency was formed by socially conscious individuals living in Bucks County. Each year more than 700 supporters donate to our organization and we are so thankful for their support.
In recognition of our major supporters we held, on October 25th, a cocktail party to thank and update these donors about Planned Parenthood of Bucks County. This was an inaugural event and will occur twice a year. It was a great opportunity to hear from supporters and also to have a chance to tell them about what has been going out with us over the past six months. We would like to thank Debbie and Rob Hutchison for opening their home for the wonderful event.
Please consider making a donation today!
Your donation will help us continue to keep our communities informed and healthy.
Donate now!
