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Bunco game raises $6,000 for cancer help
The 5th Annual Bunco for Breast Cancer fundraiser, held Feb. 23, raised more than $6,000 for cancer victim assistance, organizers said.
A total of 128 women from all over the Treasure Valley traveled to Mountain Home to play Bunco and raise money for St. Luke's Breast Care Services program. The American Legion Hall was turned into a pink palace for an evening that benefitted women in their fight against breast cancer.
A registration fee of $15 per person reserved a spot at a Bunco table and included table snacks. Additional raffle tickets were sold for chances at winning one of 42 gift baskets, all donated by local businesses and individuals. A silent auction was held for an autographed football signed by Korey Hall, a Glenns Ferry native and professional football player with the Green Bay Packers.
The Bunco fundraiser was started in 2004 as a way for women to join together, have fun, meet new friends and raise money for women who may not be able to afford a mammogram or purchase a wig during their cancer treatment.
Vicky Prouty, the event founder, credits the success of the fundraiser to the generous support of sponsors, local businesses and from friends and neighbors in Southern Idaho. Prouty and her regular Bunco group, which meets monthly, work together for months to secure sponsors, prize donations and recruit players from all over southern Idaho.
The point of working together to overcome the struggles of breast cancer was made when each of the players was given a pink scarf, and then all stood and asked to tie their scarves together to form a continuous circle. Prouty told the group that by joining together, they do not have to battle cancer alone.
The event committee for 2008 included Rose Axtell, Toni Hill, Suzanne Bresnahan, Toni Reynolds, Fran Hicks, Tammy Hart, Mary Axtell, Barb Cobos, Bonnie Henderson, Sherri Bohling, Patty Gentle and Dawn Hart.
Sponsors for the event were Roberts Truss, Axtell Painting, Guaranty Title, B-Transfer, Home Lumber and Fitness Plus. Friends of Bunco include Albertson's, Paul's Market, Idaho Sporting Goods, St. Luke's, Zeta B's, American Legion Post 26, Audio Integrity, and "many individuals and businesses who donate to the gift baskets."
"The committee would like to thank the scores of people and businesses that make this local event successful which many people look forward to attending each year," Prouty said.
The Mountain Home Bunco web site can be found at: www.geocities.com/mhbunco, where a link to the St. Luke's Health Foundation can be found.