WAYNESBORO–Organizers of the 2022 Bras for a Cause fundraiser are gearing up for this year’s campaign.
Financial donations and bras, which will be accepted through Nov. 1, support Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance (CVBCA) and are used locally to assist patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer who live in Franklin County.
Rhonda McFarland, who heads up the effort along with Marj Cober, said she is grateful for the support the community has offered the last six years as well as the opportunity to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed in October.
McFarland kicked off the local fundraiser after hearing about a similar effort from a friend. “She told me if I wanted to start a charity in Waynesboro, she’d be one of our first sponsors and pay $1 each for the first 500 bras donated.” McFarland then asked CVBCA, celebrating 26 years of service as a non-profit ministry, for its support.
CVBCA networks with numerous churches and mammography departments at local hospitals, and some of its services include paying a bill directly to a landlord, utility company or pharmacy, etc., according to McFarland. Gas and grocery cards are also available as well as aid with medical co-payments for patients.
The bras will be donated to women in need through Waynesboro Community and Human Services and Grace’s Free Closet through Grace United Church of Christ in Greencastle.
“I was surprised at how needed the bras were by those local agencies,” she noted. “There is such a demand. Last year we received more than 1,000 and in our best year, we collected 1,900. Even after the campaign is over, people give me a call and my garage fills up.”
McFarland said new and gently used bras in all sizes are accepted. “I had a friend in Florida who sent me all the bras belonging to her mother, who had passed away. And I received a whole box of brand new bras from a store in Pittsburgh who was either changing suppliers or going out of business.”
Collection boxes, starting in late September, will be located at Waynesboro YMCA, Savage Pharmacy, Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce office and New Reflections Hair Salon, all of Waynesboro, Stampin’ Up with Jody Brechbill in Duffield, Here’s Looking at You and Rhonda Brake Shreiner Women’s Center, both of Chambersburg, and Zeger Dental Clinic and Carl’s Drug Store, both of Greencastle.
“We’re still looking for financial sponsors,” McFarland said. For more information, call McFarland at 717-762-8720 or Cober at 717-762-4422.
