Can’t thank you enough
To the Editor:
The 6th annual Pine Island Breast Cancer Benefit, Breast Fest 2009, raised $42,000 on Saturday, March 14. As the president of From Our Hearts, the organization that sponsored the event, I would like to thank all that helped make this year’s event such a success. I would like to thank the following people who helped with our walk activities:
Our guest speaker Mary Welch; Leoma Lovegrove, who painted our walkers; and Nichole from Sandy Hook Restaurant, who provided our warm-up exercise. Thank you to the following bands who provided some of the best music we have had in the history of our Breast Fest activities: Annie Wenz, Brad Rodgers, Pine Island Trio, Deb and the Dynamics, Dogfish, Aimee Linn, Alyce Grouper, Scrambled and Burnt Out.
Thank you to the local food vendors who continue to support us every year with their food selections and generous donations. The ladies from the Pine Island Community Church were there with their delicious baked goods and hot coffee and their youth group with their popcorn sales. The Lazy Flamingo had a new, lighter menu with conch salad and chowder and donated all their proceeds back to From Our Hearts. JD and Gina from the Waterfront gave up their day off to make sure we had great food and cold drinks. Farm Raised Clams joined us this year as a food vendor offering seafood to enjoy or take home. And what Pine Island event would be complete without Jackie’s gyro’s and strawberry shortcake?
Thank you to the Cape Coral High Band members, who provided activities and prizes for the children all day.
Thank you to the local businesses who donated their services like Charlie Garcia of Florida Marine Construction, who redecked our stage with materials that will outlast us all; Honc Industries, who provided our Dumpsters; Island Crab, who offered the use of their cooler so we could have cold water for the walkers and plenty of ice for the day; Bob Sangelo, who upgraded our electrical service; and Angles Hair Design for sponsoring the “Locks for Love” program.
Thank you to the community that donated so generously; the youth group from the Pine Island Community Church, who kept the grounds free of litter; the walkers who raised money through donations; the restaurants that sold our “Bra” pledges; and the merchants that provided gift certificates, services and items that were given away as prizes or raffled to raise funds.
Last, but by no means not least, thank you to all the volunteers; not only those that attend our meetings all year long, but those who seem to come out of the woodwork when Breast Fest comes around.
And my last thank you and apology to anyone who may have been left out of this letter.
Our events are only made successful by the complete support of all the people mentioned.
Breast Fest is a yearly event that is held the second weekend of March. March your 2010 calendar to join us next year.
Marci Perry
President, From Our Hearts