Several area businesses are coming together to support a local charity that helps breast cancer patients with treatment costs.
The charity is the CancerKare Fund, which was established by Ponte Vedra residents Bill and Linda Adams, and the businesses have pledged their support to the organization’s second annual “Night of Wine & Roses” fundraising event Thursday, Jan. 25 at the Nocatee Welcome Center.
“My wife was touched by breast cancer,” said Doug Otto, a Nocatee resident and director of General Services Administration sales and services for Allegion, a manufacturer of security products that is sponsoring the CancerKare Fund event. “We firmly believe we should support causes that raise funds to help rid us of that disease that affects thousands of women every year. We definitely look to the communities we’re in and look to take an active role.”
Linda Ash, of the Ash & Rose Real Estate Team at the Watson Realty Corp. office in Nocatee, agrees and said she wants to be on the “ground floor” of this growing event.
“I think it’s great community involvement, and it goes for a great cause,” said Ash, whose team has been in real estate for a year-and-a-half.
To be held from 6 to 10 p.m., the “Night of Wine & Roses” event will once again benefit The DONNA Foundation and be attended by Donna Deegan. Last year, the event raised $5,000 for the foundation. The Adamses created the CancerKare Fund following Linda’s own battle with breast cancer to help other women and men affected by the disease.
Brad King, a mortgage broker at loanDepot, said Bill and Linda have embraced the charity’s cause, and that’s why he’s happy his company is sponsoring the event.
“I appreciate the offer to do so,” said King, whose loanDepot company is the fifth largest retail mortgage lender and second largest non-bank lender in the U.S. “I’m looking forward to helping them grow this event in the future.”
The fundraiser this year will most prominently feature a lottery for a $100,000 Jaguar F-Type British limited-edition car courtesy of Fields Auto Group. According to Bill Adams, only ticket holders get a chance to win the car, and they must be there in person. To enter the lottery, each ticket holder will enter a five-digit number of his/her choice into a laptop. A cloud-based software program will then run the lottery and provide immediate feedback if a ticket holder wins or loses. Bill will hold onto the winning number and reveal it to the audience at the end of the night if no one wins.
In addition to the lottery, the event will feature live music and food from Chef Tony of Publix Aprons Cooking School, Dick’s Wings and Grill, Dunkin’ Donuts, Claude’s Chocolate and wine from Coastal Wine Market & Tasting Room. Flowers from Kuhn Flowers will also adorn the venue.
For the second consecutive year, the CancerKare Fund will present two awards: the “Breasty” award, which acknowledges individuals who contribute to the fight against breast cancer, and the “Fight for Life” award for a breast cancer warrior. Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery’s Dr. Brett Snyder — who performed Linda’s reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy and guided her through aftercare, surgery and recovery — will once again present the “Breasty” award. Zettie Beverly — the recipient of last year’s “Fight for Life” award and a two-time survivor of breast cancer who also has rheumatoid arthritis — will present this year’s award to this year’s recipient.
Because the event touches so many people affected by cancer, luxury homebuilder Pineapple Corporation is happy to support the charity’s cause.
“Being philanthropic is part of our underlying foundation,” said Amanda Johnson, marketing consultant for Pineapple Corporation, which is responsible for building the Vista at Twenty Mile in Nocatee. “We always look for opportunities to give back.”
Many others will also be giving back at this year’s “Night of Wine & Roses.” An auctioneer will auction off several luxurious and exciting items, and Bill Adams, a local artist, will raffle off one of his paintings. In addition, the event will include a silent auction, with participants including Ponte Vedra Wellness Center, Daily’s, Napoli’s Pastaria, Hair Cuttery, Pieology, Beach Diner, The Loop and Mainstream Boutique.
Other sponsors include NasCarts, Glenn Layton Homes, RE/MAX Specialists PV and VyStar Credit Union, among others.
Visit 904tix.com/events/2nd-annual-a-night-of-wine-roses or cancerkarefund.org for more information or to buy tickets ($30). All proceeds support the fight against breast cancer. The event is open to all people who have been affected by the disease or want to support the CancerKare Fund’s cause. Independent donations are welcome.
For information on supporting CancerKare Fund through sponsorship, contact Bill Adams at (973) 714-9228 or via email at badams@adamsproperties.net.
