Hearts and Hugs of Hope Group welcomed a packed house for its Beef and Beer Cancer Benefit.
Hearts & Hugs of Hope is a local organization that was formed about two and a half years ago by a group of nurses and nurse’s aides from Tel Hai in Honey Brook.
Word of mouth and social media spread the word for a Beef & Beer fundraiser they held at the New Holland American Legion Post 662 on Nov. 22. They sold 130 tickets and packed the house.
“I didn’t expect we would have a full house especially during the Thanksgiving holiday,” said President Jan Creitz, of Morgantown.
Creitz declared this event as their biggest success so far, raising thousands. Their specific goal was to donate 30 Cancer Comfort bags to Lancaster General Hospital Oncology Floor. She explained that when patients are in treatment they are cold and their skin is dry. Each bag contains warm pajamas, a cozy blanket, lip balm, hypo allergenic oils and lotions for the skin along with hard candies, toasty fuzzy socks, etc.
Cancer survivor Lois Klein, holding up a pair of socks, said, “I feel so blessed to have been helped by all of you.” She along with others they have helped came out to support them at the party.
“Thanks to all of you who came out and blessings to our cancer survivors some who are still in treatment for coming out to join us tonight.” Creitz said. Most of the guests were from the Tri County Area.
Creitz was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support and the standing ovations she received during her speaking.
Seven people, all friends and co-workers, founded the group including Creitz; Andy and Barb Etman, Ethel Brinson, Becky Conger, Jenn Schlimme, and Ashlee Glauner. Some of them have personally fought the disease. True to their name Heart and Hugs of Hope they reach out to people through referrals and decide how they can best help each individual.
Their mission statement says it all: Providers of spiritual, emotional, and physical support to cancer patients and survivors in Berks, Lancaster and Chester counties in South Central PA. Visit: http://www.facebook.com/HeartsHugsHope
In addition, being nurses they always try to do education at every event. Since November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month the group offered pamphlets on lung cancer and smoking risks from the American Cancer Society.
Their normal way of helping is to not give money but rather their time and to provide and pay for things the people need. One hundred percent of the money that they raise throughout the year goes to cancer patients.
“Each individual has unique needs, some of the things we have done is to pay rent and utilities; gas cards for treatment visits; special bras for breast cancer patients; buying and wrapping Christmas gifts for their children, to name a few,” said Creitz.
After opening remarks it was a festive celebration, great food, including free flowing beer, homemade desserts (donated by a local church) and a DJ supplying music for dancing. They also had basket raffles and other games and fun.
Tears of gratitude filled many an eye that evening. Touching moments were hearing tributes from attendees and for greeting their generous supporters.
Creitz was grateful to the Morgantown American Legion Riders Post 537, after riding to the newly opened Valor Clinic near the Poconos with money and turkeys, they still found time to ride down to Honey Brook to support their cancer fundraiser.
