2008 April
 

Jenny Waelder Hall Center Holds Second Annual Benefit

By Barbara Jones, PhD

The Jenny Waelder Hall Center for Children (JWHCC) held its second annual benefit March 5, 2008, at the Katzen Center for the Arts at American University. Baltimore Washington Center members joined other JWHCC supporters, staff, Governance Committee members, and parents in celebrating the third year of the school’s operation. Generous donors to the event included Jack H. Lucky Flowers and Ace Beverages, while Helen’s Catering provided delicious hors d¹oeuvres.  Adding to the ambiance was the Mary Ellin Lerner Jazz Trio. Lerner is a vocalist and granddaughter of Irving Berlin.  The silent auction generated lively bidding, with items including two weeks at an Italian villa (donated by Dr. Danille Drake), a weekend at a cottage on the Eastern shore, piano lessons, a landscape design consultation, Washington Capitals tickets (donated by Drs. James and Kathleen Miller), and a day at an exclusive Georgetown beauty salon.

The highlight of the evening came in the moving statements by three parents about the difference that the JWHCC had made in the lives of their children. One parent recounted her child¹s transformation after a traumatic year at a mainstream nursery school.  This child went from a withdrawn, regressed state at his previous school to engaging with the teachers and children at JWHCC and recovering lost developmental milestones.  Another parent told of his child who had entered the JWHCC unable to play with other children but fascinated with objects.  The JWHCC teachers, noticing his recent passion for Krispy Kreme doughnuts, brought in a set of plastic doughnuts one day, complete with snap-on icings and toppings.  The delighted child began to play games around the  doughnuts with the other students, trading off the roles of baker, shopkeeper, and customer. In this way he was helped to play with other children for the first time and has continued to develop toward age-appropriate social functioning.

The Governance Committee and staff of the JWHCC thank our BWCP colleagues who attended and/or contributed and urge everyone to visit us and see what our talented teachers are doing. To arrange a visit to the JWHCC, please call Kathleen Miller at 301-320-9302.