For more than 15 years, the Women’s Auxiliary of the local Fraternal Order of Eagles chapter has done its part to help cancer sufferers deal with the debilitating effects of the disease.
Through its fundraising efforts, the nonprofit organization has helped patients pay their rent, bills, and the costs of medication that insurance or Medicare won’t pay.
“We just want to be there for people who have nowhere else to turn,” said trustee Terri Rogers. “We always try to help and give everyone whatever they request. Sometimes we can’t give them everything they want, but we always give something, no matter what.”
This year, to meet demand and bring new interest to their fundraising activities, the group will hold a special Monte Carlo Night to help kick out cancer on Aug. 15.
Besides a Santa Maria-style barbecue, the Western-themed “K.O. Corral” event will feature a touch of the French Riviera, with craps, roulette, blackjack, and other gaming tables.
The event is open to the public. For a donation of $30, attendees will receive a “Steak Your Claim” dinner ticket, one free cocktail, and $100 dollars in chips to bet on the night’s tables.
Chips won at the tables can be traded in for raffle tickets, with the chance to win admission to Dodgers baseball games, deep-sea diving excursions, wine-tasting events, and cash. Attendees will also be able to purchase more raffle tickets to increase their chances of taking home the big prize.
All proceeds will go directly to cancer patients who have asked for help from the organization.
The event will take place at the Santa Maria Eagles’ Aerie Hall, located at 668 S. College Drive. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m.
Tickets are presale only and are available by calling Terri at 310-9329, co-chair Marily Stern at 714-7366, or the Eagles Aerie No. 1745 at 928-2316. Requests for tickets can also be sent via e-mail to terri@midstateconcrete.com.
The Women’s Auxiliary chooses not to advertise and is still looking for sponsors for the event. In addition to its cancer fund, the group raises money for victims of child abuse and people with heart disease throughout the year.
“Our whole mission statement is ‘People Helping People,’ and that’s what we’ve always stuck to,” Rogers said.
Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at mail@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 23-30, 2009.