In 1980, in response to threatened funding cuts for family planning agencies, Susanne Burkholder recruited a group of volunteers known as The Friends of Planned Parenthood to raise money for Planned Parenthood of Lehigh County. Susanne’s vision included establishing a permanent fundraising vehicle, a quality consignment shop, managed and operated by volunteers.

On March 1, 1985, following five years of research, planning and fundraising, the first Elephant’s Trunk Consignment Shop opened at 324 Main Street, Emmaus. A few years later The Elephant’s Trunk moved to a larger location at 348 Main Street, Emmaus.

Recognized as the guiding force, volunteer leader and manager of The Elephant’s Trunk, Susanne, along with her husband, Jack Burkholder, were honored in 1987 by Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania (PPNEP) for their exceptional volunteer leadership, dedication and service related to their work with The Elephant’s Trunk. In 2002, Jack and Susanne (posthumously) were again recognized for their dedication.

A 1940 graduate of Cedar Crest College, Susanne received an award for volunteerism from her college Alumnae Association in 1990.

Susanne, as volunteer manager, and Jack, as volunteer controller and advisor, remained at the helm of The Elephant’s Trunk for thirteen years until their retirement in 1998.

Susanne was a founder of Planned Parenthood of Lehigh County, past board chair and interim Executive Director. Her legacy of advocacy and fundraising for family planning services lives on in The Elephant’s Trunk.

Today, over 50 Elephant’s Trunk volunteers, at least ten of whom have been with the shop since its inception, are continuing the Burkholder legacy of operating a quality, non-profit consignment shop whose proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania (PPNEP).

Since 1985, The Elephant’s Trunk has raised more than $429,000 in support of educational programs of Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania (PPNEP) in the Lehigh Valley and throughout our nine-county service region.

“Family planning is really the bottom line to a host of local and world problems and concerns,” Susanne once said. We are grateful for Susanne Burkholder’s vision and dedication.

The Elephant’s Trunk has remained an active and vital business on the Triangle in Emmaus, and in January 2007 expanded into a newly constructed building adjacent to the Main Street location.

“Thank you to The Elephant’s Trunk volunteers for

preserving the past and seeing the future.”

The Elephant’s Trunk  •  348 Main Street Emmaus PA 18049  •  610-967-6621

Proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania (PPNEP)

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