The event committee for Wine With Wings.
EAST MARLBOROUGH — Wings for Success hosted its first fund-raiser in the Kennett Square area on June 1. Wine with Wings, a wine tasting event held at Kennett Square Golf & Country Club was a sold-out event with nearly 150 people attending. The evening offered wines provided by Patone Cellars, a Landenberg area winery, with foods paired specifically to complement each wine, and a silent auction.
A highlight of the Wings for Success event was hearing from a Wings client who first received services 15 years ago. Portia Graham, Coatesville, shared her success story and her interest in continuing to support Wings.
“When you wear clothes that make you feel good, you have more self-confidence and it’s easier to believe in yourself and the things you can do. With support from Wings, I went on my first interview with confidence that I could get the job, and I did! I want other women to have the same experience.”
By helping women access free, work-appropriate clothing and offering support and confidence building, Wings helps clients make the best impressions at interviews and new jobs. The goal is to help women gain financial stability and self-sufficiency for themselves and their families. Since its start in 1997, the agency has helped over 10,000 clients tackle this often-overlooked barrier to employment and economic security
Mary Pat Knauss, Kennett Square, a committee member for the wine tasting event and former board president explained that one goal of the event was to acquaint more residents in Kennett Square and surrounding communities with the Wings mission and operations, and encourage their support. “We are thrilled by the response and so appreciative of the community’s interest and support.”
With sites in Frazer and Kennett Square, Wings serves clients in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Kennett Square office was opened in 2015 to make it easier for clients in southern Chester County and areas in Delaware County to access services. Since opening, the Kennett Square office has served 300 clients. “For many clients in this area, trying to get to our Frazer location was a real hardship. We are so pleased to have a local site that allows us to reach so many more women in this area,” says Ingrid Lis, program manager for the Kennett Square office.
With only three employees, Wings depends on volunteer support to help with everything from consulting with clients on wardrobe, to planning fund-raising events, general management and committee work, to day to day operations. A team of over 120 volunteers donate over 9000 hours of their time each year to maintain and manage Wings for Success. “We couldn’t function without volunteer involvement so we are always ready to welcome new volunteers and of course, financial donations that will support our operations,” explains Knauss.
For more information about Wings for Success visit www.wingsforsuccess.org.
