Bob & Jennifer McNeil Set to Host Ninth Annual Garden Party

The Desmond Hotel's Battle of the Berries entry await sampling by guests of last year's Garden Party.

Garden Party logoThis year marks the ninth year that Jennifer and Robert McNeil, two of Chester County’s most renowned philanthropists, have been welcoming guests to their beautiful home, Springbank Farm in Coatesville, for the Brandywine Health Foundation’s Garden Party.

The Party, on Wednesday, May 25 from 6-9 PM, is one of the BHF’s signature events and now attracts a diverse guest list of more than 450 people.

This year’s theme, A Spring Fiesta at Springbank Farm, celebrates the Foundation’s 15th Anniversary with mariachi music and fireworks.

The evening culminates with the Battle of the Berries, a contest in which local restaurants prepare desserts in order to vie for the Culinary Excellence Award and the People’s Choice Award.

The former is determined by an esteemed panel of judges that includes former White House chef John Moeller, QVC host Mary Beth Roe, Main Line Today publisher J.B. Braun, and Chester County commissioner Terence Farrell. The latter is voted on by guests.

Participating restaurants include Malvern’s General Warren Inne, Downingtown’s Amani’s, Sadsburyville’s ZING Sushi, The Gables at Chadds Ford, Exton’s Duling-Kurtz House and County Inn, and Malvern’s Desmond Hotel.

Jennifer & Robert McNeil with Brandywine Health Foundation CEO Frances Sheehan at last year's Garden Party.
Jennifer & Robert McNeil with Brandywine Health Foundation CEO Frances Sheehan at last year’s Garden Party.

The Party kicks off the Foundation’s other trademark event, the Strawberry Festival, a four-day extravaganza on the grounds of the Brandywine Hospital that has been a highly anticipated tradition in Chester County for the last 40 years.

The Garden Party and Strawberry Festival each net more than $100,000, which the foundation invests in organizations – like the Coatesville Youth Initiative and the Greening Coatesville Initiative – that benefit the residents of Coatesville in a myriad of ways.

Click here to join the list of sponsors of this year’s Garden Party or to purchase individual tickets to the event.

Click here for more information on this year’s Strawberry Festival Presented by First Niagara and PECO, as well as information on sponsorship opportunities.



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