Ben Franklin Award Dinner 2023

The Wayne County Community Foundation's annual Ben Franklin Award Dinner will be held on November 2^nd at Silver Birches in Hawley. Join us for a very special evening of dinner, drinks, and inspiring words.

The event will begin at 6:00pm, after which dinner will be served at 7:00, and keynote speeches will start at 7:45. This year’s guest speaker is Mike Batchelor, President of the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association (PACFA).

The Ben Franklin Award is given yearly from the Foundation to an outstanding member of the community who demonstrates a lifetime of service in and around Wayne County. This year’s recipient is Mary Ellen Bentler.

Mary Ellen Bentler is a lifelong resident of Moscow, PA, currently residing in Wayne County. She is a graduate of North Pocono High School and has taken several courses from the Pennsylvania Bankers Association. Mary Ellen has had many years of service with Rotary International in various roles, and joined the board of Lacawac Sanctuary in 2015. She is also an active member of the Sterling Business & Technology Park Owners Association. Mary Ellen formerly served on the board of the Chamber of the Northern Poconos, the Wayne County Community Foundation, the Salem Public Library, and the Wayne Economic Development Corporation where she served a term as President.

Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at WayneFoundation.Org. Advertisements for the program may be purchased by contacting Connor at csimon@waynefoundation.org