My name is Patty Basile and for the past 5 years I have organized the annual St. Agnes Breast Cancer Fundraiser. This year, with the help of Mary Hope Friedermann, Cara Patton and a group of 8th grade girls, we will be running the fundraiser again. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the girls at St. Agnes will once again do their share to support this important cause. This year I asked a group of 8th grade girls to decide what they wanted to sell to raise money and who the money would go to.  Unfortunately, these girls have had first-hand experience of losing someone dear to them from breast cancer and pediatric cancer, so it was quickly decided how and why they would fundraise.

It is astonishing in a small town of Rockville Centre how many girls have either been directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer. The girls decided to donate to three worthy causes: first, the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition. This a group made up of local survivors who support each other from the time of diagnosis. They provide educational resources, outreach services, they help alleviate financial and emotional stress.  Almost two years ago, Trish Meindl loss her battle with breast cancer.  Trish was the mother of the girls’ good friend, she coached many of the girls in soccer and was a friend to all. The girls were deeply affected by her passing and wanted to honor her memory by donating to her foundation.  Although October is breast cancer awareness month, the girls also sadly loss a good friend 1 1/2 years ago to Rhabdomyosarcoma. Mary Ruchalski was a sweet, friendly, athletic girl who always had a smile on her face. Mary played CYO basketball and was a good friend to many of the 8th graders. The girls asked if they could also raise money for her foundation. As a result of the passing of Trish and Mary, one thing the girls learned was "never forget" and to keep their memory alive, so they put both Mary and Trish's initials on the Halo head bands that they will be selling this year (see photo below).

The weekend of November 1st-3rd, St. Agnes will hold a fundraiser for these three causes. Friday night there will be a Mother/Daughter event run by Mary Hope and Cara (more info to follow). The girls will have a bake sale during all the home CYO games Saturday and Sunday that weekend. Finally, the girls have started to sell the Halo head bands for $15 and are hoping all will purchase one and wear them proudly.

Most importantly we are trying to teach the girls how their hard work can help others. We need your help! We need bakers, individual bags of chips, candy and drinks to be donated to sell. We need kids to volunteer time over the November 1-3rd weekend to sell and parents to supervise. Also, we need the girls to help sell the head bands.

Please email mail me directly if you are able to donate to bake sale so I know we have enough of everything. Also, you can email me or text if you would like to purchase a head band and will arrange a pickup.   If you are sending me an email, please put CYO Fundraiser in the subject line so I can be sure to identify it.

Thank you in advance for your help and support!  One of the many things that make our community special is how we have always banded together in support of our friends, neighbors and important causes.  The support in prior years for the breast cancer fundraiser has been tremendous and I know this town will rise to the occasion again this year.

Patty

917-822-1690

wiggybasile@verizon.net