of Central Bucks County and Surrounding Communities
Community Outreach (Previously the Welfare Committee)
Chair – Theresa Mooradd
The Committee, originally named the “Organized Charity Committee,” was established in 1897 to serve those in need in the community. The committee works with area agencies to provide funding for rent, fuel oil, food, car repairs, prescription medications, or other needs. In the fall, an annual coffee is held so representatives of social service agencies can meet, interact, and share information. We also fund annual gift-card distributions to financially challenged families of students enrolled in the Central Bucks School District. The committee is funded by earnings from trusts, donations from VIA members and the community at large, and proceeds from VIA fundraisers.
Newborn Care and Safety Subcommittee
Chair – Rosemary Burrage
Our Newborn Care and Safety subcommittee is the newest iteration of the focus on materal and newborn health that led to the foundation of Doylestown Hospital in 1923. The current program began with the neonatal abstinance syndrome (NAS) care bags we sent home with babies who’d been exposed to opioids in utero: sleep sacks to promote safe sleep, pacifiers to help improve their sucking reflex, and other items, including hats, blankets, baby wash, baby lotion, nursing pads, toys, and books. Our support continues for new mothers and their babies for needs that are identified by the medical staff.
Community Response Subcommittee
This committee selects recipients of one-time grants to organizations that reflect the mission of the VIA in our community.
Education & HOBY
Chair – Mary Ellen Stanton
The Education Committee awards three scholarships to graduating Central Bucks School District seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, are active in their schools and communities, and who plan to major in a human health-related field. The Committee also evaluates and selects a graduating senior high school nursing scholarship recipient for the VIA Ruth Boland Memorial Nursing Scholarship, which honors past-president Roth Boland. Finally, the committee supports a scholarship for juniors to the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program (HOBY) that is offered in the summer.
Home Life (Pine Run & Lakeview Support)
Co-Chairs – Robin Kaufold & Aarati Martino
The most vulnerable members of the population often reside in personal care and long-term care communities. The Home Life committee supports residents at the Pine Run Health Center and at Pine Run Lakeview by celebrating holidays, scheduling visits, hosting sing-alongs, and delivering notes and flowers. We are now researching opportunities to expand our support to other local facilities and groups. Join us! The best part is that we have as much fun as the residents!
Mental Well-Being
Chair: Kathleen Krick
Our mission is to raise community awareness of mental health, reduce the stigma of mental illness, and improve access to services. We partner with like-minded organizations in our area that are doing this work, whether for specific disease groups or for general well-being. A major focus is currently the development of the Bright Path Center, being built by Penn Medicine Doylestown Health and the Lenape Valley Foundation. In 2025, we donated $50,000 to support this innovative and much-needed facility.
Click HERE to read the Bright Path article.
Reach Initiative
REACH is the VIA’s newest initiative: Its focus is to provide education, awareness, and resources that promote mental health and well-being. Our goal is to expand the VIA’s long-standing mission of community support by creating greater awareness and increasing access to mental well-being resources in our community. We reach out to learn and to provide support and information.
Veterans
Chair – Mary Lou Sander
We support military members and their families, both those currently active and veterans, and provide information on military issues to the VIA membership. Each year, our committee members review various possible programs and activities and decide on the best use of our funds and time. The chosen charities are always consulted about their needs to ensure our support is what they want and need. Past funding has helped with events at local Veterans’ homes, assisting with the Wreaths Across America program, donating to the Bucks County Tour of Honor, and collecting and mailing paperback books to both in-country and deployed troops and their families. We also organize and arrange a speaker for the VIA’s annual November Petite Luncheon (which focuses on a military topic), and we organize the VIA’s participation in Doylestown’s Memorial Day Parade.
Although we occasionally receive donations from community members who have learned of our work, the majority of our funding comes from both the VIA’s general fund and from our members.
Women’s Scholarship
Chair – Linda King
This committee was established in 1997 to provide financial aid to eligible adult women who are working to obtain education and/or training to help them gain the skills, knowledge, and credentials needed to improve their employment status. These scholarships are based on need and must be used only for educational/vocational purposes. Applicants are generally adult women seeking to re-enter the job force who need support services for counseling and housing. Many of the applicants are single parents hoping to establish financial independence for themselves and their children. Applicants submit a goal statement, personal references, and a plan of study.
Please note: We do not accept direct applications. We identify students based on referrals from our partner social service agencies, local college counselors, and community support groups.
High school students interested in VIA scholarship should contact the VIA’s Education Committee.
Bucks County Designer House & Gardens
The Bucks County Designer House & Gardens is normally held in May, and has been the VIA’s largest fundraiser. Designers and landscapers transform a local property into a splendidly decorated house and gardens. The event is attended by thousands throughout the region. Proceeds benefit Doylestown Hospital, Doylestown Health, and the missions of the VIA.
The committee is not meeting this year, since we will not be holding a 2026 event. Please see our event calendar for our other fundraising events, such as Designer Bag Bingo, our annual card party, our gourmet dinners, and the many tours and events at the James-Lorah Memorial Home.
Floral Arts
Chair – Sue Reo
The Floral Arts Committee is comprised of a small, fun group of flower lovers. We create an arrangement or bouquet for the reception table at our monthly general membership meetings in the James-Lorah Auditorium. We also make table centerpieces for the annual Petite Luncheon in early November; the Designer House Preview Gala Reception at the end of April, and the final VIA luncheon in early June. New ideas and members are always welcome!
Literature
Chair – Carolyn Kozakowski
This is our own VIA book club. We meet once a month to discuss a book chosen by the members, enjoy social time, and discuss that month’s selected book.
Social Committee
Chair – Mary Bachman
Mental well-being requires some relaxation time! The Social Committee helps by organizing trips, luncheons, and other social events for interested VIA members and guests to attend or join.
Development Committee
Chair – Helen Hammes
The Development Committee consolidates the VIA’s fundraising and sponsorship activities. The main committee identifies new funding sources, and establishes investment strategy to maintain funding reserves in support of our programming. The committee includes two subcommittees: 1895 (the VIA’s founding year) and Fundraising.
1895 Committee
Chair – Helen Hammes
The VIA of Doylestown began in 1895, and our 1895 committee encourages and tracks contributions to the VIA and all VIA committees. These gifts initiate or support programs now and in the future that enhance the quality of life in our community or offset expenses or continuing costs of the organization.
Fundraising
Chair – Beverly Coller Campbell
We develop events and programs to provide additional funding for the VIA’s mission. Examples of our recent popular programs are our Gourmet Dinners at Genevieve’s Kitchen in Doylestown, various holiday cookie or flower sales, and the very popular Designer Bag Bingo we started in 2024.
Finance
Chair – Polly O’Brien
The Finance Committee is responsible for supervising the fiscal affairs of the organization, including monthly financial reporting to the VIA Board of Directors. It reviews and establishes controls for revenue and expenditures and oversees the VIA’s investments. The committee also prepares the annual budget.
Governance
Chair – Lillian O’Connor
Governance is responsible for evaluating Board roles and responsibilities, attending to Board composition, encouraging Board development and education, assessing Board effectiveness, recommending processes to attract and retain new members, matching member skills with the needs of the VIA committees, encouraging development of members to leadership positions, and articulating the requirements of committee chairs and Board members.
The Bylaws and Nominating committees are subcommittees of the Governance Committee.
Bylaws
Chair – Beverly Harvey
The Bylaws Committee reviews, updates, and explains the Policies and Bylaws of the organization.
Nominating Committee
Chair – Barbara Kieffer
A new Nominating committee is formed at the beginning of each President’s term to find dedicated members to be a slate of Officers for the next election.
Hospitality
Chair – Janice Kimenhour
The Hospitality Committee sets up and runs the tea/coffee and goodies we provide after our membership meetings. Members sign up to provide sandwiches or cookies, and the committee arranges setup, serving, and cleanup.
Information Technology
Chair – Janice Cope
The IT committee’s mission is to evaluate and manage the technology the VIA needs to operate safely and effectively. We support both the VIA and Bucks County Designer House & Gardens websites, the organization’s full Google Workspace intranet, various AV systems, and the tracking or administration of other organizational IT assets. We provide Google Workspace training and assistance for committee leaders . . . or for any interested VIA member. IT committee membership is open to any VIA member in good standing who has a solid understanding of current technology solutions or who is willing to learn.
Our Google support team holds regular and by-request training sessions. Click HERE to ask about upcoming training classes.
The Innovators Committee
Co-Chairs – Aarati Martino & Lavinia Thompson
The Innovators assist the VIA Board and the Strategic Planning Committee in charting the VIA’s course for the next 100 years. The committee will be tasked to “Identify, research, and analyze current and unmet needs within the community, and the VIA, then present to the VIA Board for consideration.”
They recently combined community and VIA support by starting regular evening meetings to support members who are unable to attend daytime meetings. Each meeting includes a short community project, beginning with warming bags for unhoused Bucks County residents.
James-Lorah Memorial Home
Chair – Christine Lemmo
The mission of the James-Lorah Memorial Home Committee is to preserve, supervise and coordinate the operation and maintenance of the headquarters of the Village Improvement Association, its house/museum and the adjacent Auditorium; to restore and conserve the records of the VIA and the contents of the house/museum which is to be made available for tours in accordance with the terms of the Will of Miss Sara M. James when she bequeathed her home to the Village Improvement Association.
The home has a rich history as the birthplace of Henry Chapman Mercer and home of Miss Sarah M. James, the VIA member who donated the property to the organization upon her death in 1954. In addition to serving as a meeting place for members of the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown, the James-Lorah Memorial Home is also listed on the National Register of Historic Homes and considered a historic place by the Heritage Conservancy.
The James-Lorah Auditorium, which is attached to the historic James-Lorah Memorial Home, may be rented for your special occasion, whether it is a party, business, or social event. The air-conditioned space seats 144. The acoustics are excellent for musical performances or recording sessions. Bring your own caterer to the full kitchen or enjoy a short walk to nearby restaurants.
Click HERE for more information on Tours or Auditorium Rentals.
Marketing
Chair — Patricia Urban
The Marketing Committee supports the mission of the VIA through activities that promote the VIA to the organization and to the community. The goal is to let everyone know of upcoming events and VIA news, both to help build awareness of our many activities and achievements, and to support VIA membership.
Membership
Chair – Audrey Tucker
The Membership Committee encourages prospective members to join the VIA and current members to participate actively in the organization. Committee members welcome VIA members and guests at our general membership meetings. Every September or October, an event is held to introduce women who are interested in the VIA. They receive a guided tour of the JLMH, a packet of information, and a warm welcome from the membership. In addition, committee chairs explain their committee’s responsibilities to encourage new members to join them. Our mentorship program helps new members settle in. This committee also includes Sunshine and Memorial activities.
Subcommittees: Memorials and Sunshine:
The Memorials subcommittee manages the purchase and placement of memorial bricks at the James-Lorah Memorial Home.
The Sunchine subcommittee sends get-well or sympathy cards to members or their families.
Click HERE for more information on membership in the VIA.
Want to learn more? See our Annual Report.
