of Central Bucks County and Surrounding Communities
Each year the Village Improvement Association donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to groups that support our mission to enhance the health and welfare of our community. Funding is raised from various activities such as the Bucks County Designer House & Gardens, tours of our wonderful James-Lorah Memorial Home museum, rentals of the James-Lorah Auditorium, and, of course, donations from our members and the public. We thank you for your support.
Click on any heading or graphic on this page to link to the VIA 2024/2025 Annual Report where you can learn more about the topic, plus explore additional ways the VIA is involved and making a difference.
The Village Improvement Association donated more than $345,612 during the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
This year the Community Outreach Committee distributed a total of $80,068 for community needs.
In keeping with the mission of the VIA, the Community Response and Recognition Committee recognizes individuals or organizations whose efforts have contributed to the mission of the VIA and provides one-time support to programs that enrich the quality of life in our community.
During the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the VIA donated $5,000 to Roxy Therapy Dogs and $7,969 to Cancer Support Community. Over the years, the VIA has donated over $200,000 to more than 50 organizations.
Some of the fundraising activities held this year were:
Genevieve’s Kitchen dinners, one in October and the other in June, which raised approximately $2,500.
Holiday Flea Market in November which raised $3,000.
The Ultimate Designer Bag Bingo in April netted $10,737 for the Women’s Scholarship Committee and $7,158 for VIA Mission. More than 300 people attended.
Hannah Pollock – Laura Haddock Scholarships: $2,000 to three Central Bucks students planning to study human health care
Roma Reddy, Germantown Academy, will pursue a 4+4 BS/MD Program at Drexel University as a Biology Major
Zoe Riley, Central Bucks HS East, will attend Pace University Honors College as a Health Sciences and Psychology Major
Sydney Tannenbaum, Central Bucks HS East, will attend George Washington University as a Biomedical Engineering Major
Ruth Boland Memorial Nursing Scholarship: $2,500
June Haflett, Central Bucks HS West, will attend Stockton University as a Nursing Major
Rich Reif Culture of Caring Scholarship: $1,000
Doylestown Health’s Volunteer Services interviews all teen volunteers who have contributed significant hours of service by their senior year. This award focuses on the contribution to the Culture of Caring at Doylestown Health. This year the Scholarship was awarded to Shreyas Trivedi, a student at Central Bucks HS South (with a 4.67 GPA), who volunteered in Patient Transport. He contributed 366 hours and will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying Neuroscience and Statistics.
HOBY Scholarship: $290
Since 1992, the VIA has worked with the Central Bucks School District high schools to identify outstanding sophomore students with promising leadership skills to attend the two-day HOBY Leadership seminars. “HOBY” stands for “Hugh O’Brian Youth.” The Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation’s mission is “to inspire students to a life of leadership and service to their communities.”
The 2025 winners who attended the HOBY Youth Leadership Seminar at Neumann University in Aston, PA were:
Alexis Cho, Central Bucks HS South
Cecelia Hayes, Central Bucks HS East
James-Lorah Memorial Home Awards: $100
The VIA’s headquarters, the James-Lorah Memorial Home, is named in honor of the last two families who lived in the mansion. Martha James Lorah established the Deeds of Kindness Prize in her will to honor local youth. This year her award went to Emerson Schulz (Central Bucks HS West). The Reverend George Lorah, who was an amateur poet, established the George H. Lorah English Prize. This year his award went to Emma Botes (Central Bucks HS West).
The Women’s Scholarship Committee (WSC) provides need-based financial support to women pursuing vocational certificates, education, or diplomas in undergraduate degree programs who are entering or reentering the job market. During the 2024/2025 fiscal year, WSC approved $39,656 in scholarships for eight women. The women demonstrate drive and dedication, as they strive to overcome obstacles in their lives. The WSC collaborates with the Bucks County Opportunity Council, Bucks County Housing Group, and local educational institutions to identify eligible candidates. All recipients must live in Bucks County and work closely with counselors or career and self-sufficiency coaches to ensure success.
