SOCIAL CIRCUIT

Spreading the love

Universal Companies founder and music legend Kenny Gamble was one of six men honored at the Legacy of Love Foundation's

Men Making a Difference in the Community Awards Gala

held Nov. 17 at the Hilton Philadelphia. Also taking a bow were artist Howard Watson, Ivy Leaf School cofounder William C. Green, retired cardiologist Edward S. Cooper, Comcast executive Payne Brown, and community activist Frank "Tick" Coleman. Founded in 1992 by the Philadelphia alumnae chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the foundation raises funds for college scholarships and community-based social service organizations.

Leading the way

The United Ways of the Delaware Valley,

an association of the 12 regional United Ways, held its second annual board leadership event Nov. 13 at the Ballroom at the Ben at the Ben Franklin Building. Before Philadelphia Media Holdings chief executive officer Brian Tierney gave the keynote speech, Independence Blue Cross executives Kathleen McEndy and Christopher Butler accepted the John C. Haas Community Matters company award on behalf of Blue Cross for the company's Partners in Caring campaign with the United Ways. Also honored was UBS Financial Services executive Ray Welsh, who received the individual John C. Haas Community Matters Award.

Bundle of joy

The Auxiliary of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network set a new fund-raising record when it held its

55th annual Harvest Ball

Nov. 3 at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, raising more than $1 million. The proceeds will support the expansion and renovation of the newborn nursery at the Albert Einstein Medical Center, which expects to increase its annual number of deliveries in 2008 from 2,000 to 3,000. The black-tie evening, attended by 600, honored longtime Auxiliary member Eileen Seskin and her husband, Les.

Winning record

Former Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil presented the Bert Bell Memorial Award to former St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk at the

Eagles Fly for Leukemia

's annual fund-raiser held Nov. 27 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing. Signing footballs and giving hugs to the children attending the dinner were Eagles head coach Andy Reid and players Omar Gaither, Hank Baskett and Jon Dorenbos. The benefit raised $140,000 for Eagles Fly for Leukemia, which has donated more than $10 million to area hospitals for pediatric cancer research since its founding 30 years ago.

Sweet 16

The Institute for the Arts in Education

celebrated its Sweet 16 at its first-ever benefit held on Nov. 17 at the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel. Host John DeBella of WMGK presented the Arts in Education Visionary Award to Gov. Rendell. Among the 15 other awardees recognized for making a difference in the lives of children through education and arts and culture were Carole Haas Gravagno, Sandra Dungee Glenn, Kent McGuire, Marla Shoemaker, and Jesse Bermudez. The dinner, chaired by Jeanette Turnbull, raised more than $100,000 to help provide arts education programs to 5,000 children in 30 Philadelphia schools.

"Social Circuit" appears in the daily Magazine on Wednesdays. Contact Caroline Stewart at 215-854-5747 or at

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