Louise Burke Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon
The Louise Burke Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon has become something of an institution in Eureka. We know that just about the time that the tulips are blooming and lilacs start to come out, its time to look forward to this very special Friday luncheon. And this year's luncheon was the best yet. Julie Smith with her corps of volunteers put together an amazing event that was delicious, educational and fun. Doors at the fairgrounds opened at 11:00am on Friday May 8th and food was served at 11:30. Tickets were $7.50 to attend and that included the full lunch as well as a goodie bag for each person who attended. Lunch, a wide range of foods to fit anyone's appetite with various salads and entrees, was prepared by Eureka establishments including Beeman's Hometown Butcher Shop, Heavens Peak Organic and Cafe Jax.
While people were settling in and eating, Shirley Jacobs provided background music on violin and accordion. Then Dr. Melissa Hulvat facilitated a panel discussion with four breast cancer survivors. And throughout the event there was over sixty silent auction items available to bid on as well as ten door prizes and a button raffle. Julie's volunteers transformed the space into the ideal surroundings for the Louise Burke Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon. To add to the ambiance, Sally Steward provided bright center pieces for each of the tables. This is definitely an event worth attending next year, if you missed this one.
Not only was it a lovely way to spend the noon hour but it supports an awesome cause. Wings Regional Cancer Support is a nonprofit that offers financial assistance to individuals and their families to help defray out-of-pocket expenses associated with cancer treatment. Wings provides monetary support to qualified individuals such as housing, transportation and meals primarily aimed at those costs arising from travel for cancer treatment both within the state and outside of Montana.
About the Author: Rita Collins. I am a believer in the power of community and for now I call the Tobacco Valley home. I have lived in nine states and three counties and this community here amazes me - how people reach out to neighbors and even travelers. I've never lived in a place that demonstrates people caring for each other so well. And I've never lived in a place that has such a high percentage of talented musicians and artists. I work with the the Sunburst Community Service Foundation, a nonprofit that began in Eureka twenty years ago and now serves numerous communities in western Montana. And I just started a new business, St. Rita's Amazing Traveling Bookstore and Textual Apothecary. I never could have imagined life being this exciting in my sixth decade.
