Hollister
– A local breast cancer awareness organization is asking the
community to show its support for local students who have lost
loved ones to cancer, and to help fund several scholarships for
those going on to college or trade school.
Hollister – A local breast cancer awareness organization is asking the community to show its support for local students who have lost loved ones to cancer, and to help fund several scholarships for those going on to college or trade school.
“This is really important; it’s a chance for everybody to really make a difference,” said Jeannine Porteur DiVincenzo, who is heading up the fundraising effort and is the owner of Boutique de Lingerie.
The “Hope for A Cure Memorial Educational Scholarship Fund” was established seven years ago in honor of DiVincenzo’s cousin, Juli-An Rowe, who lost her battle with breast cancer. Over the years the names of two other local women who battled breast cancer, Karen Flaherty and Rose Arnerich, were added to the memorial.
“There are a lot of people and kids who have been affected by this in San Benito County,” DiVincenzo said. “There’s a lot of cancer.”
The awards are given in varying amounts to graduating seniors who have lost a parent, guardian or grandparent to some form of cancer. In the seven years the fund has been established and growing, 15 scholarships have been awarded to local students.
“We’re not looking at academics so much, as long as they’re continuing their education – whether that’s nursing or tech school or whatever,” DiVincenzo said. “What we look at is their essay and the relationship they had to the person (who battled cancer).”
Typically the fund is added to every year with proceeds from the organization’s signature event, “An Evening of Hope,” which entails dinner and a fashion show. This year, however, organizers wanted to switch their focus.
“We’re just doing a raffle this year,” DiVincenzo said. “So instead of asking people for goods to make the event happen, we’re actually giving away money.”
Organizers had hoped to raise $400,000 this year by selling 400 raffle tickets. In exchange for a $100 ticket, participants have the chance to win $5,000, $3,000 or $1,000, and the price of the ticket is tax-deductible. Unfortunately, community response has been rather poor.
“Response has been really low, it’s heartbreaking,” DiVincenzo said. “I don’t know why it’s this bad.”
Without sufficient community participation the committee may be able to offer only a few or even no scholarships to graduating students who have already had to suffer through losing a close family member to cancer.
“These are the kids who really need that assistance; it’s so important,” DiVincenzo said.
Community members can save the scholarship fund this year by purchasing a few tickets, and maybe even win some cash. Tickets are available at Boutique De Lingerie in downtown Hollister and will be available until Oct. 13, the day of the raffle.
“We’re really hoping people will come through,” DiVincenzo said.
For more information call 635-0722.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected].
