Ann's Choice Volunteers Celebrated During Recognition Breakfast

They call themselves “The Bag Ladies.” For the past three and-a-half years, Ella Cohen and Doris Kalan have been designing, creating and selling small handbags out of their apartments at Ann’s Choice. They are not trying to create a new fashion empire.  Because if they were, the duo is going about it all wrong by donating all the proceeds.

Cohen and Kalan are just two of the hundreds of residents at the retirement community that dedicate large portions of their free time to helping others, both within the complex and in the surrounding neighborhoods. In 2010, close to 750 residents volunteered throughout the region, clocking more than 55,000 hours with organizations such as the YWCA, the Centennial Education Foundation, Gilda’s Club, Bucks County Family Friends and Project Linus.

“We raised about $5,100 last year for the scholarship fund,” said Kalan. “It benefits the servers in the restaurants. It’s nice to be able to give back.”

About 450 of their fellow volunteers were honored with a Recognition Breakfast at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland on Tuesday. Their achievements were significant enough to attract an appearance by Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, who thanked the attendees for their hard work and dedication.

“I am proud to help honor the residents of Ann’s Choice who have given back so much to their community over the past year,” said Fitzpatrick. “Service to others is the cornerstone of a community, and these individuals embody that spirit.”

Fitzpatrick made some remarks before the meal started, recounting his days on Bucks County Board of Commissioners and how saddened he was when the Naval Development Center closed up. He told the crowd he couldn’t be prouder of the retirement community that took its place.

“It’s not just the gorgeous buildings,” he said, “but the quality of the individuals that live in those buildings and the commitment they have to giving back.”