May 2002

The Lauren Rose Albert Foundation brightened the lives of hundreds of needy women this Mother’s Day during its second annual Mothers Matter campaign by distributing 625 gift baskets filled with personal care and beauty products to ten area day centers for youngsters to present to their mothers, grandmothers or caregivers for Mother’s Day. Baskets are also brought to women’s shelters for Mother’s Day.

The private, non-profit foundation is based in Cherry Hill and was established to honor the memory of a young mother of three who was killed in a road accident in 1999.

Foundation founder Susan Rose said her daughter Lauren "was very concerned about the welfare of women in our society, especially those women who are most vulnerable." Rose added that the Mothers Matter project carries out the Foundation’s Mission to help women in need and to bring sunshine and light into the lives of others. " Last year we distributed 260 gift baskets," said Rose, "I wish everyone could see the smiles on the faces of the children as they presented their mothers with our beautiful gift baskets."

The project’s success depends on the generosity of volunteers, schools, businesses and organizations that hold drives to collect health and personal care products. Thirty-one area public and parochial schools and numerous businesses and organizations participated this year.

"The outpouring of community support has been overwhelming and we will be able to touch the lives of 625 families" said Rose "I was particularly touched by the beautiful notes some contributors sent with their contributions." One mother enclosed a monetary contribution in a Mother’s Day card, signed ‘from one mother to another’ and another initiated her own collection drive when she found out about this project.

Baskets are assembled by Mothers Matter volunteers and decorated with netting, ribbons and a card listing all contributors and with the beautiful message that Mothers Matter. Many of the baskets will contain paper angels with golden halos made by a Mothers Matter volunteer.

Mothers Matter volunteers delivered baskets to ten Camden County Day Care Centers and two women’s shelters. Camden County Building and Operations Department, the Parks Department and members of Paul VI football team also helped deliver baskets.

Foundation Is Lauren's Legacy

Written by Kevin Riordan | The Courier-Post August 8, 2000 South Jersey Section

We thank our dear friends and supporters who reach out and touch us with their own love, light and laughter. Some of the beautiful words and comforting thoughts appear on this page.

Lauren Rose Albert would have been 42 last Sunday. But on Feb. 18, 1999, a Land Rover carrying Lauren and four others tumbled down a Moroccan hillside. Lauren was killed. Her husband, Dr. Todd Albert, survived, as did the two other vacationing passengers and the driver. Lauren's parents, Stuart and Susan Rose, had just returned to their Cherry Hill home from a hockey game when they got the telephone call. Nothing since has been the same for the Roses, their three younger daughters, and especially for Lauren's husband and three children: Stuart, Elliot, and Emily. There's no way to fill the void, of course. But the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation-a Legacy of Love, Laughter and Light-"will keep her memory alive," Susan says. She and I are having lunch. We're old friends and we share a lot of laughs, as always. But the weight of her grief is palpable.

"What Lauren would have wanted" is the foundation's guiding principle, Susan explains. "And Lauren would have wanted to help people." The foundation awarded its first scholarships in June: to Cherry Hill East senior Lauren Allison Feigenbaum, and Haddonfield Memorial High School senior Adrienne Rose Butler.

Susan, a former Camden County Register of Deeds, says the site will match young women "who have nowhere to turn" with specialized assistance. Perhaps a young woman is going on job interviews but can't afford the right clothing. Or perhaps she is musically talented, but has no access to lessons. "We'll be helping one person at a time," Susan says. "And we'll see the results."

I've been an honorary member of the Rose family for 24 years. They're wonderful people, and Lauren truly was special. She had an energy, a sparkle and a spark that made you glad to be around her and glad to be alive. I asked Susan to write something about Lauren, and here's an excerpt:

"When I was in high school I had to write an essay about the woman I most admired in the world. I wrote about my mother. "Lauren, like her grandmother, had great strength of character and a strong sense of right and wrong. Given a choice, Lauren would always take the right path no matter how difficult, and she would quietly but with great determination overcome any obstacles. "As a child, Lauren was a wonderful daughter. . . . As an adult, Lauren was my cherished friend. "If I were to write an essay today of a woman I most admire in the world, I would write about Lauren. "I miss her so."

For information about the Lauren Albert Rose Foundation, e-mail: Susanrose@laurenslegacy.org