Sharla Feldscher has always been a kid-believer. She began as a kindergarten teacher at the Henry Lawton Elementary School in Philadelphia and then as an author writing numerous articles, books, TV and radio features always encouraging creative play and rewarding opportunities for young people. After a bit of a hiatus writing about kids, Sharla can now be read on websites and in publications including her www.kidfunandmore.com website, L.A. Family Magazine, New York Family Magazine, South Jersey Moms and www.womanaroundtown.com that focuses on the metropolitan areas of New York City and Washington, D.C.

In her public relations business, Sharla has focused on youth especially as the representative of Sesame Place, the nation’s only theme park based entirely on Sesame Street, located outside Philadelphia in Bucks County and only 90 minutes south of Manhattan. She launched her business in 1984 with Sesame Place as her first client, working with them for 26 years. Never formally trained in public relations, she learned it first as a volunteer at Please Touch Museum, the nation’s first museum for children who are 2 to 7 years old, where she soon was named their first Director of Public Relations.

The author of six books on creative activities for children, HarperCollins published The KIDFUN Activity Book in 1990, which was translated in German. Because it did so well, they asked her to write an expanded edition, which she did in 1995, that was translated in Russian. For eight years, she edited The KIDFUN Page in The Phila. Daily News and had features where kids were reporters and went on assignment, interviewing celebrities like Brooke Shields, Lucie Arnaz, Philadelphia Orchestra conductor Riccardo Muti, World Series winning relief pitcher Tug McGraw and many more. Her columns led to radio and television features where she produced KIDFUN for Philadelphia’s #1 radio station, KYW Newsradio, for two years and also created 30 second spots of KIDFUN starring Tug McGraw for FOX-TV.

The owner of a successful public relations business in Philadelphia, Sharla created a pro bono division called “Young People with Big Hearts,” where they volunteer to publicize great kids who help the community. Sharla is the publicist for Rocco Fiorentino, now 13, who is totally blind, an award-winning humanitarian and a jazz artist. He recently appeared on Sesame Street, relieving Elmo and the children of the world as he explains being blind is “just natural for me.” Rocco sings a jazz tune and it’s clear that having a disability does not have to be a deterrent for success.

Celebrating her 25th Anniversary in the public relations business in 2009, Sharla has made a major impact on thousands of people in the Philadelphia region. Reading her company’s client history is like reviewing a “Who’s Who of Philadelphia.” She has represented the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, FOX 29-TV, KYW-TV, The Phillies, The Franklin Institute, The Free Library of Philadelphia, the Merriam Theater, Peter Nero and The Philly Pops, The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the Moshulu Restaurant/Ship and all the restaurant and hotel properties owned by Martin S. Grims, Ride The Ducks plus business clients including Manko, Gold, Katcher and Fox, LLP, the prominent environmental law firm. Sharla also serves as the personal manager/publicist of cabaret singer/performer Eddie Bruce.

What makes Sharla stand out even more is her heart! Active in the community, she currently serves on the board of Police Athletic League (PAL), Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC), Smith Playground & Playhouse and the marketing committee for The Free Library of Philadelphia, where she spearheads their Media Advisory Committee. She has also recently worked on marketing committees for Please Touch Museum, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Make-A-Wish of New Jersey.

Sharla has been recognized for her work as a publicist, author and humanitarian and has been honored with such awards as the Women of Distinction Award, Philadelphia Business Journal 2007; Philadelphia Public Relations Association’s Hall of Fame; Overbrook High School Hall of Fame; the Sarah Award from Women in Communications and the Unsung Hero Award from Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In 1988 -1989, she served as President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Sharla is a frequent lecturer at area universities including the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University, Villanova University, Rowan University, LaSalle University and the University of Delaware.

Sharla’s most proud of her family. Her husband Barry, her children Amy and her husband Scott Munro and their daughter Ryan Isabella and Hope and her husband Joseph Horwitz and their daughter Sari Celia.