Dolan Fund | In the News

Peggy Dolan is a very special person. She embodies all the qualities of character education. Compassion, empathy, perseverance, the will and desire to help is what everyone should strive for. If you want to feel like you have a lot, all you have to do is give a little. That’s what Peggy Dolan does.

Through true adversity, she saw a need, a gap, where she knew things could be made better. Her daughter was diagnosed with Lymphoma. She spent many nights in the hospital with her dying daughter. She saw how many children were forced to spend nights alone because their parents either couldn’t afford overnight parking, or were unable to take off from work because of desperately needing the money to pay the increasing medical bills. Even though she was facing tough times herself, she stepped up and tried to fill that hole with service to others. She started the Kelly Anne Dolan foundation after her daughter died. Peggy has given joy, assistance, hugs, and love to many in need.

The Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund was established in 1976 as a non-medical resource center that provides advocacy, education, information, and financial assistance for needs not covered by insurance to families caring for terminally, critically, and chronically ill, severely disabled, or seriously injured children. The Fund assists families living or receiving care for their children in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The Fund has assisted more than 18,000 families in 34 years of operation.

Students in the SCT Academy at the Long Branch Middle School read about Peggy’s journey in a People Magazine article. The students in Miss Candice Bidner’s class were so touched and moved by what Peggy does, that they wrote her letters of thanks and encouragement. Peggy was so touched by those letters that she called the school and asked to come to speak to the students. With her she brought Abigail Sandler and Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, who were both instrumental in bringing her story to light and helping her become one of People Magazine’s “Hero Among Us.”

Abigail Sandler is an advocate for severely disabled people. After her sister Aimee, also severely disabled, passed away, she created Aimee’s Bulletin. It was a state-issued statement meant to clarify how Pennsylvania laws affect decision-making for group home residents near death who can’t make choices. Abigail Sandler and Peggy Dolan met at a fundraiser and Abigail forwarded her story along to People Magazine. Sandra Sobieraj Westfall was the People Magazine reporter who covered Peggy’s story.

All three came to the Middle School to discuss not only service, but to show how people are all connected. The empathy and compassion people feel for each other forms connections. Those connections, those links to people, are what inspire service to the community. The intention of the assembly was to show how the cycle of giving can spread.

The women definitely achieved their goal. Several people expressed, with tears in their eye, how the assembly impacted them.

Mrs. Megan Mazza, a seventh grade teacher, said, “Peggy Dolan’s speech was so touching that I had to walk out of the room for a minute to regroup.”

The assembly that involved Peggy Dolan grasped the audience’s attention, especially her video and story. “I’ve never seen our school so quiet and intently focused on her inspirational message,” said Gabrielle DeSouza, a seventh grade National Junior Honor Society and Honors Choir student.

Yazmin Belhadj, a seventh grade student, said, “It was so touching I was tearing up. I feel like I should give back. Peggy is such an inspiration.”

“She was an inspirational person. What she’s doing is good for families,” Alex Marmol, an eighth grade student, said.

“Peggy’s story made me realize how important it is to give back to the community,” National Junior Honor Society member Amanda Farnsworth said.

“Peggy started a ripple effect that will cause other people to do good as well,” said student Henry Torres.

“It was an awesome experience having Mrs. Dolan come to our school. From her we’ve learned what it truly means to give back and help others who are less fortunate than us,” stated seventh grade student Hannah Reeves.

Seventh grade teacher, Candice Bidner agreed, saying, “Service is such an integral component of not only being a good human being. I was touched and honored to have her here and thankful that I got to witness and share in her story. She makes me want to be a better person. I think she made the kids feel that way too.”

For more information on Peggy Dolan and the Kelly Anne Dolan Foundation please visit dolanfund.org, call 215-643-0763 or write PO Box 556, Ambler, PA 19002.

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