MOUNT FOREST – The Mount Forest Lions are organizing a Dance for a Cure event on Sept. 7 at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex, to raise money to support childhood cancer research.
The cause is one that’s close to many of the Lions’ hearts, said president Crystal Steffler, as multiple children in Mount Forest have died of childhood cancer, and “we have another little one who is fighting at the moment.”
Steffler noted that in her own family, she has “lost two cousins to childhood cancer.
“I think anybody you talk to, most of us have been affected by it,” she said.
Steffler explained dinner will be a catered buffet-style chicken dinner.
For entertainment, the 12th Line Band will play a blend of classic rock and country music, and Two Smiths One Ville will also perform.
There will also be a silent auction and a 50/50 draw.
Leos also getting involved
“The Leos are involved too,” Steffler said, as the young Lions are organizing a “Cancer Sucks” sucker fundraiser as part of the dance.
Funds raised at the event will be split between the London Health Sciences Centre, the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, Hayden’s Hope Foundation and Camp Quality.
Steffler said the Lions picked these four organizations because they wanted to support local initiatives.
“There’s really nothing in rural Wellington for pediatric cancer,” she said, so initiatives elsewhere in southern Ontario, including London and Hamilton, often support families in Mount Forest.
It’s the first time the Mount Forest Lions have organized a Dance for a Cure, and Steffler said the group plans to make it an annual event.
The Lions hope to raise between $10,000 and $15,000 to split between the organizations.
Steffler said there are still lots of tickets available, with enough space for between 250 and 300 total guests at the event.
Tickets are $60 each and will available at Print One and Young’s Home Hardware in Mount Forest, and will be available from the Mount Forest Foodland.
The ticket includes dinner, entertainment, and door prizes. Dinner is at 5pm, and entertainment will continue until about midnight or 1am, Steffler said.
The Dance for a Cure is sponsored by Dave and Barb Fletcher, Troy and Shelley Mason, Drew and Angela Nelson, Don and Susan Tremble, and Marty and Joanne Young.
