Celebrate the gift of giving with Breast Fest
For eight consecutive years, members of the organization From Our Hearts has encouraged islanders and visitors to help them celebrate the gift of giving. Thousands of men and women each year are diagnosed with breast cancer and this organization has dedicated itself to helping those who can not afford to help themselves upon hearing they had fallen victim to this dreaded illness.
Each year, From Our Hearts hosts a day-long fund-raiser with all proceeds benefitting Partners in Breast Cancer Care, which provides free services including mamograms, biopsies, mastectomies and therapy for those who cannot afford it in Lee County. This year’s event will take place Saturday, March 14, beginning with a 5K (3-mile) walk in St. James City.
Walkers will begin registering at 7:30 a.m. at the St. James City Civic Center and will get under way at 8:30 a.m. As they make their way through the side streets of St. James City, the walkers will be encouraged by inspirational music provided by Annie Wenz and Brad Rodgers. Wenz will be positioned on the route at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Egret Court while Rodgers will set up at the end of Eighth Avenue.
Water will also be available along the course of the walk and rides to the finish line will be provided for those who need it. Prizes will be awarded to walkers in many different categories. Walkers who raise $125 will receive a 2009 Breast Fest bracelet, those raising $175 will receive a 2009 Breast Fest bracelet and a pair of matching earrings. In addition, prizes also will be awarded to the teams who raise the most money, and for individuals who raise the most money.
Prior to the walk, Matlacha artist Leoma Lovegrove will be on hand to “paint people.” Lovegrove will be painting the clothes on the backs of walkers with several shades of pink paint and according to Lovegrove the paint will dry as they walk the route. Lovegrove will be painting participants clothes from 7:30 to 8:45 the morning of Breast Fest.
Also new to the Breast Fest event will be the opportunity to meet two of Pine Island’s noted book authors. The authors will be available for book signings from 9 to 11 a.m. at the St. James Civic Center. All are welcome to meet DL Havlin, author of several suspense novels which include “September at Echo Creek” and the “Hangin’ Oak,” as well as Marty Ambrose, who will have available her latest light murder mystery titled “Peril in Paradise,” which she says is the first in a three-book series.
Following the walk, all are welcome to join the festivities that will continue throughout the afternoon on the grounds of the Civic Center. Food and beverages will be provided by local restaurants and attendees can participate in silent auctions and raffles as well. Winning tickets for both the auctions and raffles will be drawn throughout the day and for those who choose, retail items for purchase also will help in the donation to Partners in Breast Cancer Care. The biggest raffle of the day however is in the form of a 49cc scooter which will be presented to the holder of the winning raffle ticket on the day of the event.
Plenty of activities also have been planed for children, including face painting, jelly bean count, games and more.
No island event is complete without music and Breast Fest is no exception as From Our Hearts has assembled some of the best entertainers Pine Island has to offer. Taking the main stage immediately after the walk will be the Pine Island Trip followed by Sarah Mahon. Then at 11 a.m., world-renowned singer/songwriter Annie Wenz will perform followed by Deb and the Dynamics at 12 p.m. Next to take the stage will be Dogfish at 1 p.m., Aimee Linn at 2 p.m., Alyce Grouper at 3 p.m. and Scrambled at 5 p.m. Finishing up the day of music and dancing will be the group Burnt Out, which will play at 5 p.m.
All are welcome to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music, however coolers or outside beverages will not be permitted.
This year’s event is dedicated to the memory of Julie Matthews, a long-time Pine Island resident and board member of From Our Hearts. Matthews was a breast cancer survivor, but unfortunately succumbed to complications of another illness in February of this year.
The 2009 Breast Fest will conclude at 6 p.m. unlike past events that continued to 10 p.m. so attendees should plan their visit accordingly.
From Our Hearts is dedicated to help in the fight and to find a cure for breast cancer and help those, who for one reason or another, need a helping hand. From Our Hearts focuses is not strictly on breast cancer prevention but knowing that many area residents have been touched in some way by the disease that they feel it is a cause worthy of their attention. As a result, From Our Hearts has made several generous donations via Breast Fest and other fund raisers to Partners in Breast Cancer Care help to save lives not only in Lee County but on Pine Island as well.
For more information about Breast Fest or From Our Hearts, visit fromourheart.org