PHOTOS: Women of Wilmington's Festival of Trees

Take a look at all of the photos from the second annual event, thanks to blogger Lennie Malvone.

Festival of Trees Becoming Wilmington Holiday Tradition

The second annual event will be held on Saturday and Sunday to raise money for families in need this holiday season.

The Women of Wilmington are enjoying Villanova Hall as the venue for their fundraising event, the Festival of Trees, for a second straight year. But as much as they like their current spot, members of the non-profit wouldn’t mind having to find a new location. In just their second year running the Festival of Trees, the group has gone from 53 donated items to 79 this time around. As they continue the new tree lighting weekend tradition in the years to come, one of the event’s organizers said WOW is hopeful that the venue will become too small. After all, it is for a good cause. “As much as we love and appreciate this place, we’re hoping we will get so big at some point that we’ll outgrow it,” said Becky McGrath. “Not only is it a …

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Women of Wilmington Team Up With Cumberland Farms

Non-profit group will receive money for families in need during fundraiser at local convenience store.

Editor's Note: The following information was provided by Cumberland Farms. The non-profit group Women of Wilmington will be receiving a financial boost for its widespread efforts to help local residents and families in need thanks to a fundraiser sponsored by Cumberland Farms. For four weeks beginning on Tuesday, July 31, Cumberland Farms will donate 20 cents from every Chill Zone beverage, iced tea and coffee (iced or hot) purchased at its newly remodeled store at 205 Main Street to benefit the Women of Wilmington (W.O.W.) and the ongoing work it does in the community to help people in need. Cumberland Farms aims to raise at least $1,000 for W.O.W. “Women of Wilmington has grown incredibly in two short years, as has the work we do to help…

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Life in the Mom Lane

Kindness Club Proves Small Acts Do Count

Women of Wilmington creates summer Kindness Club that asks children to think of others first in whatever way they can.

Sometimes the best lessons in motherhood are the simplest ones. Sure, we all do our best to spread kindness, generosity and good deeds but, honestly, do we always make sure to pass reminders on to our kids to do the same? Yes, as moms we do our best to lead by example but, let's face it, life is busy and, sometimes, it’s the simple lessons that get lost in the shuffle. This summer the Women of Wilmington came up with an innovative idea to remind kids that, yes indeed, kindness has its own rewards. While the program itself is only open to school aged children of its members, it is a great reminder to all of us how important it is to teach our kids to be kind each and every day. The program, WOW Kids Summer Kindness Club, is a simple concept…

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A Slice of Wilmington

'W.O.W.ed' by the Numbers

Recent work by the Women of Wilmington is impressive.

As many in Wilmington know, the Women of Wilmington or, W.O.W., is a busy group of ladies. Officially founded in 2010, the group has gone from a small, start up non-profit to an irreplaceable part of the local community. Last weekend, as runners and walkers took part in the second annual Run for Wilmington and Kim Forte Walk, many were able to learn a little more about W.O.W. and all that they do. While most people have become familiar with the events, like the Run for Wilmington, that W.O.W. sponsors, many weren’t aware of exactly how the profits raised from these events have been distributed. As the W.O.W. mission statement reads, “The Corporation shall receive and disburse funds, property and gifts of any kind exclusively for the …

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More Than 500 Run to Honor Forte [VIDEO]

Women of Wilmington host second annual Run for Wilmington and Kim Forte Walk in honor of resident who was killed in February 2011.

Lou Forte has received plenty of support since his wife's death just over one year ago. As he stood on Wilmington Town Common on Sunday addressing a crowd of more than 500 people, that support was never more evident. The large group of runners, walkers, volunteers, and well-wishers turned out for the second annual Women of Wilmington Run for Wilmington and Kim Forte Walk in honor of the late resident, who was killed by an allegedly impaired driver in February 2011. "I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support and love," said Forte. "Knowing you're all here for our family would certainly make Kim smile. Kim Forte was known by residents throughout Wilmington for her walks across town, which provided inspiration for …

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Sunday Road Race Set to Honor Kim Forte

Women of Wilmington organize second annual event in honor of late resident.

It’s been more than a year since Wilmington resident Kim Forte was killed while walking home from the gym like she did nearly every day. By no means, however, is Forte forgotten. That will be evident on Sunday during the second annual Run for Wilmington and Kim Forte Walk that begins at 11 a.m. on Town Common. The event is organized by the Women of Wilmington, a group that was created just before Forte was killed in February 2011. “We feel that our message of being kind and helping others was also the way that Kim lived her life,” said Michelle Bryan, race director and Women of Wilmington vice president. “Kim lived her life by the motto of ‘It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice.’ I think each and every member of WOW …

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A Slice of Wilmington

Remembering Kim Forte

Looking back at one of the losses the community suffered in 2011.

Over the course of 2011 there were plenty of news stories that touched our lives here in Wilmington. One of those stories, the tragic death of Kim Forte, will be remembered by many Wilmington residents forever. On February 21, Kim Forte was struck and killed by a vehicle while out for her daily walk.  As local residents knew, Forte loved to walk and was often seen at that same spot near the intersection of Main Street and Glen Road on her way home from a workout at a local health club. Her death was a tragedy and left residents of Wilmington shocked and heartbroken. Many people simply knew Kim as “the walking lady.” Others, like myself, had met her casually around town and many more were her close friends, coworkers and family. What …

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A Slice of Wilmington

Women of Wilmington Give Santa a Little Help

Group provides gifts to eight local families.

For the Women of Wilmington, Christmas isn’t all about opening gifts or even spending time with family. For these women, Christmas also means giving back to the community and helping those who are simply not as fortunate. This year, the second Christmas since W.O.W. was founded, the group remained true to their main goal, which is “to change the world one good deed at a time.” The group, which takes pride in providing assistance to local individuals, children and families, spent this Christmas season gathering gifts for a total of eight families. They consisted of two families that the group adopted on their own, three that they adopted through the Wilmington Community Fund and two more that they provided gift cards to as assistance. “I …

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Women of Wilmington Host First Festival of Trees [VIDEO]

A chance to support WOW and get into the holiday spirit all at the same time.

For the first time ever, Women of Wilmington, also known as W.O.W., hosted what they hope will become an annual event here in town, their Festival of Trees. Running from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., the festival featured raffles of specially decorated trees, wreaths and baskets, a bake sale table, holiday music and, of course, stories with Mrs. Claus. The highlight of the day, however, wasn’t the trees.  Instead, it was a special performance by the W.O.W. Children’s Chorus. Led by W.O.W. member Noreen Marron-Curdo these little performers outshined the lights on the trees with their holiday spirit. For Caitlyn Weinstein, W.O.W. Board member and organizer of The Festival of Trees, the day couldn’t have been more successful.  “What amazed me about our …

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