2017 Bucks County Women’s History Month Award to honor Marne Kies Dietterich, founder of Wrapping Presence®

The Bucks County Women’s History Month Award has been presented for 36 years to a Bucks County woman who best exemplifies the social, intellectual, and creative contributions women have made to the future and quality of life for Bucks County residents. This year, the committee is proud to celebrate Marne Kies Dietterich, founder of Wrapping Presence®, as its honoree.

Marne Kies Dietterich began her life of service serving as an international adoption case worker with Pearl Buck’s Welcome House. A resident of Solebury, Marne has served many community benefit organizations in Bucks County.

The idea for Wrapping Presence® came from Marne’s parents when they were residing in a nursing home in Illinois. Both her mother and father remarked that they wished they could choose their own Christmas presents for each other rather than giving gifts their daughter had purchased.

Back at home, Marne took this idea to a Doylestown nursing home, bringing a small selection of presents she had purchased for residents to select and gift to loved ones, regaining their sense of independence, dignity, and joy. Twenty years later, Wrapping Presence® now serves over 1,000 residents living in 20 Delaware Valley nursing homes and VA facilities, and utilizes over 700 caring volunteers. Thousands of gifts are donated annually with no cost to any resident or facility.

The Bucks County Women’s History Award is sponsored by 14 agencies and organizations that promote community dialogue on issues impacting women in Bucks County. Kathleen Lewis Horwatt, Chair of this year’s Award Committee, had this to say about Marne Kies Dietterich’s selection, “It is rare that three separate organizations nominate the same person for the Bucks County Women's History Award, but that’s exactly what happened this year. We’re thrilled to be honoring Marne as a fantastic community volunteer and founder of such an impactful nonprofit.”

The Women’s History Month ceremony marks an evening of community celebration and inspiration for all of Bucks County during National Women’s History Month. The ceremony and reception will be held Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the James-Lorah Memorial Home Auditorium, 132 Main Street, Doylestown, PA. Refreshments will be served at 5:45 p.m.; the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. tour of the James-Lorah House will be provided prior to the ceremony at 5:15p.m.