Credit: Charlota Blunarova / Unsplash.com
Paula Hoff, the president for the Bucks County Foundation for Aging (BCFA), really wanted to make a difference in the lives of area seniors. She joined the board in May 2021, becoming president in July 2022, and continues to serve the seniors of Bucks County with her work.
While the county had some systems in place, there was still room to add a helping hand, and Hoff said the BCFA is one way she could serve the elder community members with her efforts.
“If people need assistance, they contact the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging (BCAAA), who then will contact us for help if needed,” said Hoff. “We do not have direct contact with the clients.”
To lend that helping hand, Hoff said that the BCFA raises funds to financially assist those seniors in financial need.
“We do not give the money directly to an individual,” said Hoff. “Instead, we will pay the actual bill.”
The BCFA is 100 percent donation-funded, and no funds for the organization come from local, state, or federal governments. Instead, this is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that earns its own funds through donations and fun and exciting events, such as the upcoming Fashion Show at the William Penn Inn.
BCFA will host its Dinner and Fashion Show on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the William Penn Inn from 6 to 10 p.m.
“Guests will enjoy dinner while watching 10 women model the latest fall fashions,” said Hoff. “They will walk around the rooms and tables while everyone dines.”
Additionally, raffle baskets donated by BCFA board members and local businesses in the area will be available for bidding for those attending. For the fashion show portion of the evening, Hoff said her board turned to a Doylestown business that had experience with such fundraisers in the past.
Joli Beautique, a Doylestown-based med spa, was approached by the board and offered to participate in the show.
“They agreed immediately because they have done shows a few times before, and knew exactly what to do,” said Hoff. “Joli will handle all the models and clothing.”
Joli Beautique’s Doylestown location also offers its clients cosmetic treatments such as Botox, lip fillers, and hydra facials “to enhance your natural beauty and boost confidence.”
The BCFA’s mission is to support the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging (BCAAA) in fulfilling its goals to assist seniors throughout the county. The two agencies combine their efforts and provide senior services to those in need so that they may “enjoy the benefits of healthfully aging in place.”
Hoff said that the funds raised through the fashion show will be used in three main ways.
“The development of a mission fund that is a resource of last resort for low-income seniors in crisis who need help with basic human needs of shelter, food, heat, and medical needs,” she said of the first, and highest priority, purpose for the funds.
Additionally, funds are needed to assist homeless seniors through the provision of rental support is a second mission of BCFA that will benefit from the evening’s proceeds. The third need will be to support the BCAAA project called “Senior Connect,” which was developed during the global pandemic.
“Senior Connect was developed in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic,” said Hoff. “Its purpose is to help seniors obtain the ability to use technology to reduce social isolation.”
Hoff said she and the Board selected a Fashion Show as a unique and fun idea to earn funds for BCFA.
“I’ve been to enough dinner Fashion Show fundraisers to know that they do raise money, but it also is an event that people enjoy,” said Hoff. “When I came on board at the Foundation it was one of the events I knew that would really work for us. Mary Gross, a board member, took the initiative and was able to secure Joli for us.”
In addition to a wonderful evening out for its guests, Hoff said she hopes the event can truly bring peace of mind and security to the area’s seniors.
“In addition to raising money for our seniors, we hope to really make the BCFA known to as many people as possible,” she said. “We started in 2004 and are just now getting known by the community. I want to continue this exposure as much as possible, so that we can continue to help those who need it, but also be able to do more for those in our community.
Joli Beautique is located at 1745 S. Easton Road, Unit H2, Doylestown. For more information on their offerings, call 267-450-2923 or visit https://jolibeautique.com. The med spa is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment only.
Tickets for the evening’s Fashion Show will be $128.50, which includes dinner and a $3.50 service fee. Guests will have a choice of a broiled filet mignon, chicken marsala, or tangerine grilled salmon for their meal. Participants can enjoy bidding on raffled gift baskets that have been donated by BCFA board members and local businesses. Online ticket sales will close on Sept. 11.
The BCFA Fashion Show will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the William Penn Inn, 1017 DeKalb Pike, in Gwynedd. To purchase tickets online, visit https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/bcfaaging/bcfa-fashion-show.
For more information, call 215-703-6672 or email [email protected].
