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“What appealed tome about theCenter
forWomenwas teachingwomen to be
better moms, so they can raise healthier
babies who hopefullywon’t have
some of the challenges that mom
had,” says HollyHaines, who runs her
family’s foundation.
The family’s generosity comes froma
very special place. EstablishedbyWilliam
Haines Sr., to honor thememory of his wife,
Sara, theHaines Family Foundation is nowa
way for Holly and her siblings to carry on their
parents’ legacy of helping others in their Burlington
County community. TheHaines family has been harvesting
cranberries there since the 1800s, and as successful business
owners,Williamand Sara always quietly supported their
neighbors who had fallen on hard times.
Providing educational opportunities towomen and children in
needwas a particular passion for Sara, who couldn’t attend
college because of her family’s finances, andwas no stranger to
the struggles of singlemothers. Her first husbanddiedwhen
shewas 24, leaving Sara to care for a two-year old and an eight-
month oldby herself.
“Her life changed in that instant,” says Holly of her mother. “She
always said if it wasn’t for her family, she doesn’t knowhow
shewould have survived that tragedy. Her sister moved
back toNew Jersey andmy grandfather hadbought a
small home for them, and shewent towork somom
couldbe homewith the kids. The family all drew
together and helped.” Six years later, SarametWilliamSr.,
and the rest, as Holly says, “was history.”
In addition to funding scholarships and educational programs
like that at the Virtua Center forWomen, theHaines Family
Foundation also supports open space and farmland
preservation, particular interests ofWilliamSr. andHolly’s
brotherWilliam Jr.
“I think she’dbe very pleased to see the difference this will
make in the lives of somanywomen and children in our
community. She’d certainlywant to be a part of it.”
Sara and William Haines. The Haines Family
Foundation was established in Sara’s honor.