Cancer Support Community Turns on the Porch Lights for Successful Fundraiser
The Cancer Support Community brought its fundraising event home for a successful Oct. 24 Porch Party. The beautiful setting on the grounds of its historic bungalow in downtown Phoenix twinkled with festive lights strung both in front of the house for the cocktail hour and in back where dinner tables filled the parking space.
The social hour included cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a wine pull, a gift card scramble, the “Golden Paddle Raffle” where guests could vie for a $5,000 start for live-auction bidding, and house tours. For the first time in the organization’s history, guests were offered an opportunity to name the front porch, a live auction item. Arizona Central Credit Union won the bid for $18,500. Altogether, the party generated $265,000 to help more than 3,000 people with cancer and their loved ones receive the psychological and social support that provides the hope and courage needed to enhance recovery and improve quality of live.
The 250 guests were treated to dinner catered by Santa Barbara Catering Company. The menu featured comfort foods served family-style – salads, beer-braised short ribs, roasted chicken legs and thighs, mashed potatoes and veggies. Dessert was a rustic cinnamon apple tart.
Dr. Michael and Patty Berens were the evening’s honorees. Longtime supporter Bob Hardison served as the master of ceremonies, and Nita Francis and Dawn Carson Senger served as the event co-chairs.
Martha and Lonnie Ostrom; co-chairs Dawn Carson Senger and Nita Francis
Ina and Murray Manaster; Bob Hardison
Bryan Howard, Brad Daughtry, Paula Hardison and Neil Bassett
Phil Francis; Kathy Thomas, Cancer Support Community executive director; and Lee Bisbee
Phil Francis, Kathy Harris, Sarah Suggs and Ed Lewis
Honorees Dr. Michael Berens and Patty Berens with Kathy Thomas
