News
Bars for Breasts a huge success
KIM DAME
Published: November 24, 2012
Organizing an awareness campaign for a debilitating, life threatening disease like breast cancer has the added bonus of bringing a community together.Published: November 24, 2012
Bars for Breasts, a collaboration of several local clubs and restaurants, spotlighted the disease by collaborating together during the four weekends in October. The participating establishments allowed volunteers to set up tables and sold tickets for drawings of gift baskets filled with donated items.
Some also held their own in-house fundraising during the month. Amnesia Pub sold drink specials and held a 50/50 raffle. BB McGee's Bar & Grill held a "Locks of Love" drawing, Karma Spirits & Café sold drink specials and Rookies Sports Bar & Grill sold food and drink specials and had their own donation table set up with a donation jar.
Participating establishments included Amnesia Pub, BB McGee's Bar & Grill, Capone's, Dee's Place, Jersey's Hometown Tavern, Karma Spirits & Café, Kokomo's Pub & Grill, Pickled Parrot and Rookie's Sports Bar & Grill.
Items for the drawing were donated from the participating bars. In addition, Cindy Gregg, Karma Liquor Store, Knights of Columbus, St. Jude #6383, Leslee Starz, Nina's Cucina and Parrot Dise Express in Dunedin also donated items.
The drawing was held Nov. 1 and baskets were awarded to Michelle Card, Joy Berry, Tara Maddux and Mariah Valiquette.
In addition to what was collected at the establishments, outside monetary donations were also contributed, including $500 from Seabee AC & Heat Inc. in Port Richey and $500 from Universal Soil Solutions LLC in Hudson.
Liz Marsh, the event coordinator, said the benefit was a huge success. In just four weekends, participants raised $3,277. All the proceeds were turned over to Moffit Cancer Center to be used for breast cancer research.
Marsh also thanked the volunteers, donators, participating bars and all who participated in the event.
"A special thanks goes out to my close friends, Leslee and Rob Starz, owners of Karma Spirits & Café who came up with the great idea and for hosting the event," Marsh said.
Marsh added, "If our small community could raise over $3,000 in just a few weekends, the future possibilities are endless. Together we can all try to raise awareness and one day find a cure."