From Our Hearts raises nearly $4,500 at OctoberBreast
From Our Hearts held its annual OctoberBreast at Miceli’s Restaurant Saturday afternoon. The event is held to raise funds through the sale of a calendar and the artwork used to create the calendar.
“Although I can’t say exactly how many people came out, I can say there were at least several hundred,” member John Thurston said. “Because of that this year we were able to raise a total of $4,454. Miceli’s is a wonderful, wonderful sponsor. We are very indebted to them and the support they provide to us every year. This event has not only become an annual event but something that has resonance with the community and this island is incredibly generous.
She went to praise the youngsters from Pine Island Elementary School.
“The students from Pine Island Elementary did a great job,” Thurston said. “As you know their art is a large part of the fund-raiser. This year we raised $2,600 by auctioning off their original art.
“The calendars are $10 each and they have more than $100 in coupons inside. So anyone that purchases a calendar helps From Our Hearts and receives about 10 times the cost of the calendar.”
The students chosen for the 13 spots on the calendar are:
January – Emi Kellum
February – Ana Cardona
March – Jessica Ajin
April – Isabel Bernal
May – Hanna Sangster
June – Angela Kerr
July – Aubrey Bollinger
August – MaryJane Woodstock
September – Mayra Loredo
October – Heidi Hanson
November – Jalene Kobert
December – Danika McKaffrey
The calendars will be available at merchants around the island and on Saturdays and Sundays volunteers will be outside Winn-Dixie. You can also get them by calling Mary Scott at 239-898-7969. They are great holiday, birthday or anniversary gifts and they help in the fight against breast cancer.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease and provide greater access to services.
From Our Hearts is a small organization with a big heart. It is dedicated “to help in the fight to find a cure for the debilitating disease of breast cancer and help those that for one reason or another need a helping hand.”
Music for OctoberBreast was provided by the band Stringtown and Cathy Eagle, and this year’s event was sponsored by Miceli’s Restaurant, From Our Hearts and Fox 4.
From Our Hearts Inc. consists of a small group of Pine Island residents whose only focus is to raise funds to provide breast cancer screening and treatment for any Pine Island resident who is in need of financial assistance. One hundred percent of the funds raised are donated to Partners for Breast Cancer Care and Regional Cancer Center/Lee Memorial Health System to be used only for residents of the Greater Pine Island area. These two organizations facilitate the qualification process and distribution of From Our Hearts funds to provide screening and treatment for Pine Island residents.
The group always welcome new volunteers to the organization. It meets the third Tuesday of each month, at 6:30 p.m., in the Pine Island Fire House at the Island Center. Please join us!
Contact From Our Hearts Inc. at P.O. Box 356, Matlacha, FL 33993; e-mail wecare@fromourheart.org or call 239-233-7437.