Thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time during October, November and December 2024. The Volunteers provided 1,146 hours to Cranaleith.

October 2 & 23: Volunteers Pricing Items for Holiday Sale

In preparation for the Holiday Sale, we had many days set aside to organize and price all the items that were donated. Our “workshop” was in the basement of the house and many thanks to all the volunteers who gathered there from April through October. It was a monumental task, but they met the challenge with success and very good humor!

Arlene Buettler, Clare Cosenza, Holly Gaenzle, Marge Gildein, Fran Kuhnle, Denise Logan, Maggie McDermott, Maryanne McDonald, Connie Mulholland, Ruth Picozzi, Marie Pressler, Toni Rutter, Kathie Ulinski

October 29: Tree Giveaway

On Tuesday, October 29th, Cranaleith received 2,050 native saplings as a part of a 3-year partnership with the Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Cranaleith was one of a few designated staging areas, where the saplings would be available for pick-up. Our volunteers spent the day tagging trees and organizing the orders for pickup on the following Friday and Saturday. The volunteers included:

Mike Ciccotti, Chris Heck, Helene Houser, Robin Hoy, Fred Trainer, Kathie Ulinski, Bart Vince, Matt Wszolek and Sarah Wszolek.

Staff members included Ruben Joseph, Bernadette Rudolph, and Jess Wszolek.

Thank you to our volunteers and staff, who make events like these possible and to those at Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light for organizing the program.

This initiative focuses on "...reaching rural and urban communities who experience disproportionate impacts of environmental injustice or would otherwise have a more difficult time accessing quality and affordable native trees." (Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light). We hope to help them reach the goal of planting 100,000 native trees and shrubs across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Please contact Jwszolek@cranaleith.org if you are interested in getting involved with events like this in the future.

November 4: Gwynedd Elementary

On Nov. 4, seventh grade students from Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary brought high energy to Cranaleith’s yearly leaf fall. The students raked leaves onto compost piles around the property. Thanks to the students, faculty and chaperones as well as to Cranaleith volunteers, Fred Trainer, Mark Reilly and Kathie Ulinski who each led a team of workers. Afterwards, Bernadette Rudolph provided a walking tour of Cranaleith’s efforts to sustain the planet. The tour culminated in meditation within earshot of the waterfalls and a prayer of petition and thanksgiving.

Holiday Sale Success: A Heartfelt Thank You!

We are thrilled to announce that our holiday popup sale was a resounding success, raising over $3,000! ($2816 from the sale and $721 from the Gift Shop) This achievement wouldn't have been possible without the incredible contributions of our dedicated volunteers, staff, and everyone who supported the event.

Volunteers and staff worked tirelessly, contributing both time and items to make the sale a reality. Their hard work, enthusiasm, and generosity truly made this event shine. From sorting and organizing to assisting shoppers, every step was made possible because of their unwavering commitment. A special thank you goes out to all of you who participated by purchasing items. Your support not only helped make the event enjoyable but also directly contributed to our fundraising goals.

In preparing for this event, so many volunteers played such a huge part, and we would like to acknowledge all of them. In a preceding article, we mentioned everyone that organized all the donated items. Then, it was time to move all the donations over from the house to the Conference Center. On Monday, November 18th the Knights of Columbus, ( St. Christopher’s Council # 17997) and Scout Troop 367 ( St. Christopher’s) came to our rescue! We are so grateful to all of you:

Knights of Columbus: Bill McGinley, Greg Walton, Tom McAndress

Scouts & Parents: Bersamia Becker, Walter, Liam and Shane Binder,

John and Giuseppe Ciocci, Matt Cronin Sr., Matt Cronin Jr., Matt Cronin III,

Joe Hober, Jeremiah Jerin, Jon and Lucas Nelson, Irene Praveen, Akylgek and Afina Turdukanova

Throughout the week, the Conference Room and Dining Room were transformed into a beautiful and inviting space for the Holiday Sale, thanks to our volunteers and staff:

Clare and Pat Cosenza, Joyce Hadley, Helene Houser, Fran Kuhnle,

Donna Marley, Maryann McDonald, Evelina McGuigan, Toni Rutter,

Fred Trainer, Jeanne Trainer, Kathie Ulinski

Staff: Elizabeth Hoffman, Ruben Joseph, Joziah Reynolds, Margie Winters,

Marketing: During for this event:

Elaine Cooper hand delivered over 300 Holiday Sale flyers to the surrounding neighborhood.

Elizabeth and Margie posted Flyers at numerous local businesses.

Joziah took charge of all the Marketing of the Holiday Sale: Flyers, outside banners, notices to St. Christopher’s Church and School and all the surrounding parishes, Northeast Times, Somerton Civic Assoc., social media and many other places.



Jim LaBombard was able to refurbish the in-ground signs from 2 years ago, so that we could them again to advertise at key intersections in the neighborhood.

On Saturday, November 23rd, we were READY, staffed by our loyal VOLUNTEERS and Staff!!

Parking: Fred Trainer

The Knights of Columbus: Mick Altmeir, Bernie Johnston, Tom McAndress, Bill McGinley, Rudy Muller, Pat O’Mara, Shane Twilley, Greg Walton

Inside: Dolly Brown, Arlene Buettler, Eileen Carlin, Elaine Cooper, Stesha Corbett, Clare and Pat Cosenza, Mary DiVito, Holly Gaenzle, Mary Ellen Gantert, Joyce Hadley, Richard Hartnett, Helene Houser, Fran Kuhnle, Judy Lee, Denise Logan, Sr. Cathy Maguire, Janet Marshall, Donna Marley, Susan Mautz, Maggie McDermott, Maryanne McDonald, Evelina McGuigan, Donna McLernan, Valerie Melchiorre, Connie Mulholland, Amy Neff, Mark Reilly, Sr. Mary Trainer, Kathie Ulinski

Gift Shop: Ruth Picozzi, Terry Altmeier, Cecile Gantert

Photographer: Marge Koons

Staff: Dawn Hayward, Margie Winters, Ruben Joseph, Jess Wszolek

A special thank you to Mark Reilly for asking his friends at Neli’s Deli on Southampton Rd. if they would be willing to partner with us, in providing a variety of 100 hoagies at a reduced cost and YES they did!!! Thank you, Neli’s Deli, for helping us out. They were the BEST hoagies!

Another special thank you to Robin Hoy and Clare & Pat Cosenza for covering the cost of the Cider Donuts, which were also donated at cost by the owners of Solebury Orchards, cousins of Robin. The donuts melted in your mouth!



Absolutely, the hoagies and donuts were a real hit and sold out!

Wednesday, November 27th was Clean-up Day which went very smoothly thanks to the help of:

Clare and Pat Cosenza, Valerie Melchiorre, Fred Trainer, Sr. Mary Trainer, Kathie Ulinski and staff members, Elizabeth Hoffman and Ruben Joseph.

Everything that remained after the sale went to the following organizations:

Mercy Neighborhood Ministries

Project Home – all clothing, shoes, pocketbooks and books

Habitat for Humanity

Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop

Mercer Street Friends

Liberty Ministries

2 Families in need

Good Will – craft materials

Cranaleith’s Gift Shop - jewelry

C.A.T.C.H

NOTHING WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE BASEMENT!

Once again, thank you for making this event so special!

December 18: Christmas Party

On December 18th, Cranaleith hosted a wonderful Christmas celebration for the Staff, Board and Volunteers. Dawn expressed her appreciation to all that were present, for all that they do for Cranaleith. The food was delicious, and everyone was happy to see one another and meet some new friends that volunteer at Cranaleith. Jess led us in a “creative card making” activity. It really was a lot of fun, brought much laughter and even the guys got into the spirit of it! Steve Hart and Sr. Ellen from the Board were the judges and awarded prizes in different categories. Congratulations to Elaine Cooper, Margie Winters, Ruben Joseph, and Helene Houser!

December 21: A Season of Light, Peace & Healing

On Dec 21st, Cranaleith hosted a holiday concert with The Warren Cooper Jazz Consortium. It also included a historic house tour of Cranaleith’s Mill-Rae house. They celebrated the season with a focus on non-violence, light and healing. This special program aimed at bringing our community together to find solace, hope and peace through music and fellowship.

Fran Kuhnle, dressed in 19th-century costume, conducted tours of the house, sharing the story of the Suffragists who once gathered there.

Dorothea DiGiovanni provided the musical accompaniment in the Living Room, while guests toured the historic house.

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Cranaleith Spiritual Center | 13475 Proctor Road | 215-934-6206 | cranaleith.org