Scott was my cousin from the Arpino side of the family. His mother was my father’s sister. Scott was 11 months older than me. He grew up with our grandparents on Long Island.

I only saw Scott when we went to visit on Long Island. Since my father was in the military it was maybe once a year, depending on where we were stationed. Our Grandfather died in 1969 when we were stationed in Germany. Daddy flew home for the funeral.

Our Grandmother passed away in June1976. that would be the last time for 41 years I saw Scott. My Dad and I drove up to Long island for the funeral. My parents had recently separated and Dad was living in Milton. Dad was not able to get to see his Mother before she passed. She was 83 years old.

Italian women are fierce when it comes to family. While we will put family first, we will also hold a grudge for not being true to family. This is how Scott’s Mom was. Aunt Linda was very upset with my Dad for not being there when Grandma passed away. She barely spoke to my Dad at the visitation, funeral, and wake. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my Aunt.

Back to Scott. I had never been to a viewing before. I was 16 and had not experienced death so close at that age. Scott, Matt, and Ritchie encouraged me to go up and see Grandma. That is pretty traumatizing, seeing your Grandmother laying in a casket. I am thankful I did.

Back to Scott. He was 17 when he and his parents moved to New Carrolton, Md. 1.5 hours away from us in De. Because my Dad and Aunt Linda were not speaking we kinda lost touch. In 2003 my Dad passed away. I tried to locate Scott and his parents. I was successful. I wrote Aunt Linda, asked for info on Scott and also any photos she may have ass I had none from that side of the family. She did send one photo but no info on Scott.

When I was diagnosed with MBC in 2014, I realized I wanted to locate him. I had been in touch with my cousins Matt, Ritchie and Eleanor. But Scott was not on social media so very difficult to locate. BUT Iii finally did in 2017. He was living in Ellicott City, Md. with his wife Toni. Not only that they were looking to relocate to Millsboro, De.

After 41 years I finally found him. Best of all they moved to Millsboro and we got to get reacquainted. He knew so many stories. Had a great sense of humor. We got together often until Covid struck in 2020. Scott and I both have health issues. We saw each other on Feb 14 at a Mystery Dinner in Georgetown and the last time was at dinner in the summer of 2020. He was leery of going out and I respected that. We would text and talk. The last time I heard from Scott was on my birthday April 15. we talked about getting together, he was getting his vaccine. I sent him a text n 5/3/2021 and thought how strange it was he did not respond. He always answered me. It bothered me but I didn’t try again ( I will regret that) On Mother’s Day, Toni called to tell me he had passed away that morning. Stubborn Italian Man (he got it honestly from both parents) wanted to do things his way.

He was 61 years old. Today would have been his 62 birthday, tomorrow his 38th wedding anniversary! We only had 4 short years together, but I am soo very happy we had those. I got to learn a lot about the Arpino side. He has all the photos from that side. I am grateful God put him back in my life even for the time we had. I love you Scott. Watch over us. We will watch over Toni.

Megan, my first born, my beautiful baby girl. Megan was born Friday May 9th 1980. I had just turned 20, was single but I didn't care. My personal choice was to have my baby. In 1980 they did not do ultrasounds as they do now. You did not know what you were going to have until they came into the world. I swore I was having a boy. 
So some background, Yes I was single, her farher and I had been together for 2 years. I was young and dumb. I had left him because he cheated on me. Then found out I was pregnant after going to the Drs repeatedly for 5 months because no one could tell me why I was gaining weight in my tomah area only and why my periods had stopped.  I had had multiple pregnancy test that all came back negative. Then one day My car broke down and I needed to move it to the side of the road. as I started pushing the car I felt those twinge in my belly.  (my child telling me to stop). So off the the next Dr. that took one look at me and said "my!! you're pregnant"  Halaluhjah!! Someone finally got it. My due date was April 6th,(my paternal grandmother's birthday) Well, April 6th came and went. I had several friends tha were pregnant the same time. They were having their babies and I was still huge. Accordingt to my OB she was healthly and doing great just not ready to join us yet. 

The day she was born, I started having slight contractions at around 6 am. But I was not in much pain and decided to sit it out until the Dr’s office opened at 9. So I had breakfast (I know you shouldn’t eat when you are in labor), I took a shower, and just waited till the Dr’s office opened. I called Mark (Megan’s father) told him I needed him to take me to the Dr’s office. I was prepared to go by myself! Mark was someone you could not really count on. But he was her father soo…. Anyway, he got a ride to my house, drove me to the Dr. where I was told to head to the hospital.

So at 9:30 am I am in the hospital and it was going to be a long day!!! It certainly was!! My daughter proved how stubborn she was even before she was born! At 7:44 pm on May 9th, 1980 my beautiful little girl was born! 8lbs 12 oz, 21 inches. That extra month certainly helped her but not me!!! There were a lot of babies born that evening, so I ended up in the hall of the recovery room nursing her. Mark left shortly after she was born (I didn’t expect anything different) My Mom came for a bit, she left so I could rest.

Megan and I were released from the hospital on Mother’s Day 1980. May 11th, we came home.

Happy Mother’s Day to all my beautiful Moms out there

36 years ago, in the early morning hours, I gave birth to my one and only son. Justin. Unfortunately, Justin only lived a short time, 2 hours and 45 minutes.

I was 26, married, with a soon to be 5 year old little girl. At the time I was pregnant with him ultra sounds were not the norm if you were young, healthy, and and not considered at risk. I had delivered Megan 5 years earlier with no issues.

The day before his birth my husband and I planted a garden behind our house. His Mom was celebrating her birthday so we had her over for dinner. I had been having sight labor pains all day but nothing too bad. After my mother in law left I tried to relax it was about 9:30 but the pains became more intense. I called my Mom (because who does not call their Mommy for help) he asked if I thought I could hold off until after midnight? (so not to be charged for a full day if I went before) I knew I could. Megan was already with her, so I didn’t have to worry about her.

Around 11:30 Walt(my husband) and I drove into KGH, it was a full moon, that moon told me my little baby would not be seeing it. Strange how things come into your mind. I knew on my way to the hospital I would not be bringing my baby home. I did not have a difficult pregnancy. I worked full time, took care of the house, and Megan. My water did break a week prior to his birth. I went to my OB, since pains had not started they sent me home until they did. That was 5 days prior. So here we are in the middle of the night heading to the hospital and I knew it wasn’t going to turn out well.

At the hospital, I was taken to delivery as they found he was in breach. So I delivered my little boy naturally. Feet first. My beautiful little boy cried when he arrived (had to prove he was someone) the Drs didn’t let me hold him said there was a problem. They told me what they saw.

Justin was fine from chest up. From the chest down, he was not fully developed. I mean he had a body, legs just apparently not all his organs. He had a strong heart and a set of lungs. The Drs’ said we could send him to Christiana Hospital Neonatal unit, but they felt he wouldn’t make it. I made the decision to not send him. I didn’t want to have him go through so much with no prospect of making it home. So we called our Moms to come to the hospital to say Goodbye. My Mom had the terrible privilege of explaining to Megan her little brother would not be coming home but would be going to live with Jesus. Mom said he had something wrong with his legs but going to live with Jesus he would be able to run and play just like her. She dropped Megan off at very close friends that lived near the hospital.

When our Moms arrived one of the nurses (and a friend of my Mom’s) had wrapped Justin in a blanket. He was still hanging in there, I think just to let his Grandmothers know He Was Someone Jesus had sent. He passed away shortly after they arrived.

I think my biggest regret that night is not actually holding him. I think in my heart I knew if I held him, I would not be able to let go and deal with what was ahead.

They took me to a room(unfortunately, a room on labor and delivery) How are you to survive when you are in a room with a happy mother. How do you answer when she asked “oh what did you have” and be happy for them at the same time? Well I have learned “You put your big girl panties on” I have been doing this my entire adult life.

I had to plan a small funeral (Justin’s) and a birthday party for a 5 year old (Megan) Justin was born 4 days before her birthday. My Mom was so strong and I think that is where I get mine. She planned the funeral. The only decision I left to my husband was, where to bury Justin, my Mom had plots in Harrington and Walt’s Grandmother had space in Dover for a little one. Her little ones were buried there. Walt chose Dover. o on May 7th 1985 we buried him. Megan, of course, went to Tom Trader and asked him to open the little coffin so she could see him. Tom and Omi both told her he wasn’t there anymore, he was in heaven. For a 5 year old she was determined. Funeral was small family and very close friends.

We later learned from the autopsy, Justin had many more problems then were visible. He scoliosis of the spine, very bowed legs, his lower organs had not developed entirely. He never would have survived. They also did genetic testing. His chromosomes were out of whack.

Justin’s passing was the beginning of the end of my marriage. Walt drank and was not happy. I worked and took care of Megan. I ended up leaving him 3 months later.

I don’t believe have ever grieved his loss. I have spent the last 35 years holding it in. In the beginning I had to be strong for everyone else. Walt, Megan, our Moms’, family, friends that give you the “pity look” So I have never sat down and cried my eyes out or let al my feelings out about that loss. How do you answer “how many children do you have?” If you answer 1 you are denying the little boy you carried. If you say 2 then you have to explain the little boy.

So now my explanation if you did not know about Justin, you do now. He would have turned 36 today. I wonder how he would have turned out. What would he be doing with his life. All the questions you ask yourself when you loose a child too young.

But I know he is happy in heaven. Omi is there with him. His father passed away in 2010 so he is with Justin as well. I know Walt is happy about that.

I guess “Putting My Big Girl Panties On” has been a thing for me my entire life. It has never been so clear as in recent years.

Happy Birthday to me. I was born in Long Branch, NJ. Both my parents were stationed at Fort Monmouth Army Post. They had met there and married in 1957. I was the oldest of 4 children. My Dad was 38 years old when I was born, Mom was 24.

I must say I have had a very well rounded life. My Dad being in the Army (Mom got out after they married) gave us the opportunity to travel the world. At 18 months we were transferred to Asmara Ethiopia. We lived in a house that had a stone wall around it. We had a maid. I had a dog named Snow. I can remember some things living there. My dog bit our maid’s son in the butt because he hit me. We were only 3 years old. Both my sisters were born in Ethiopia. Becky in 1962, Shari in 1964. I can still remember smells of the different foods. Don’t know why. Daddy would go baboon hunting, I rode a camel, we had a jackel head from a hunting trip. I still have him. I met Hilie  Salassie. My parents went to the Holy Land.

We left Ethiopia in 1965 and moved to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana. I can remember starting kindergarten. That’s about all I can remember. I guess I went to 1st grade there as well.

In 1967 we moved to Salina, Kansas. Daddy went to Vietnam. we went to a post for military wives and families. I know I missed my Dad. I would write him letters  with 2 boxes yes or no if he loved me. He always returned them with the box checked “yes”. He was gone a year. I was 7 and my hair started falling out “Alopecia” they call it. Stress from  missing my Dad. I was a Daddy’s girl. I remember going to church every Sunday, sitting in the pew with Mom. If you misbehaved you got it when we got home.  When Robert Kennedy was shot I sat with Mom and watch the TV with her. Strange how things you remember flash back. Mom had albums of Elvis. I fell in love with him and his music. DIVORCE by Tammy Wynette. Mom was more into country. 

Daddy returned from Vietnam and we were off to to Wurzburg, Germany 3rd Infantry Post. We lived in a 3 bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor. We spent the next 3 years traveling all over Germany and Europe. We learned so much. My parents made sure we learned the history of every place we traveled Much of our travels were in a VW camper/van. We went to Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Paris, Rome, Naples, Pisa, Venice, I spent my 9th birthday in East Berlin. I have been to the top of the Eiffel tower,  The leaning Tower of Pisa. Eagles Nest where Hitler lived. The Salt mines in Austria. We were always going some where. 

My parents main reason for going to Germany was to adopt a son. And on Feb 14th 1970, Jeffrey George Arpino, joined our family,  he was 24 months old, had beautiful curly hair and I fell in love with him at first sight. Becky and Shari while they loved him were not that impressed. Shari was no longer the baby and Jeff was like any toddler, he got in their stuff! I used to take him for walks to the play ground. He even shared a bedroom with me for a while. 

We left Germany in 1971 and we were stationed at Holloman AFB. New Mexico. Dad was at White Sands Missile Range. But this lasted a year. We were off to Dad’s final station. Picatinny Arsenal. Dover, new Jersey. This is where I sent 7 and 8th grade. Dad retired after 30 years serving his country. He never wanted to leave.

Dad and Mom moved us to Dover, Delaware. I started my high school years here. Graduated from Dover High in 1978. My parents divorced in 1976. Daddy moved to New Mexico. Mom stayed in Dover. I stayed in Delaware. Becky moved to North Carolina after college. Shari moved to Massachusetts.

That all for now.

Happy Birthday to me!! I am turning 61 years old on April 15th. Every year since 1996 I have celebrated another year of living!! I had just turned 36 years old in 1996 when I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. To be exact Estrogen positive receptor, progesterone negative, HER-2/neu negative. I know it sounds pretty trivial 36 years old, happens all the time now. BUT back in 1996 is was kinda unheard of.. At that time mammograms were not reccommedned until age 40. I had not history of breast cancer in my family.

I was a 36 year old single mother of a 16 year old. I lived with John but at the time marriage was not in the picture. I think if I hadn’t gotten cancer we would not have gotten married. Who knows??

Anyway getting a diagnosis like cancer is somewhat devastating, you are in a daze for a bit. In my case everything happened so fast. I had a mammo on July 3rd, Surgeon appointment on the 11th, and surgery on the 15th. The lump was at 12 o’clock on my left breast. So I could feel it. Still can feel the calcium build up at the scar. At that time mastectomies were not a popular as they are today. But I did tell Dr. Inge prior to surgery if he felt the breast needed to be removed to do it. While I was in surgery Dr. Inge removed the lump sent it to the lab for testing, it was determined to be cancerous and he continued removing the tissue around it and my lymph nodes. I woke up in a hospital room with John, my Mom, and sister Becky with me.

Finding out I would need chemo and radiation was a life changing event. If cancer was not enough. I made the decision after hearing this I would not worry about a wig. If my hair out oh well. It did and some people struggled with the knowledge. No pity parties were allowed. No crying around me was allowed. Prayer were always allowed.

So Easter is a renewal of life for me. But I was born on Good Friday in 1960. God has me here for a purpose. I keep telling myself I need to listen more carefully. I am trying.

Mathias, West Virginia! This is my happy place! John and I purchased our property “Fawn Run” in 1998. It was 2.5 years after my 1st cancer diagnosis. John had been interested in purchasing property in WV for hunting. He didn’t really have anyone interested in going in with him. Then after my diagnosis, he realized life is really short, so we decided to go on our own.

We spent every weekend for 2 months driving to WV on Friday evening and looking at different properties all day Saturday than driving home on Sunday. The first few weekends we stayed in a hotel outside Petersburg, WV, eventually we stayed at a cute little motel in Wardensville “Sees Hotel” now “Firefly”. Sees was so cute. We would get there late at night and the owners would have left the key to our room under the mat. The room was small with a full bed, you could barely walk around. But we enjoyed staying there!

We looked at 26 diferent properties trying to find the right one. In WV “functional acreage” is the key. What is “functional acreage”? Well, in WV you can buy land but alot of it will be on the side of a mountain. in other words I would have had to tie a rope around any grandchildren so they would not fall down the mountain. So “functional acreage” is land you can actually walk on and do something with. We want land and hopefully a structure already in place. So “functional acreage” and a structure were the criteria. After 25 properties we finally found what we were looking for.

Fawn Run is outside Lost River State Park in Mathias, WV. Our cabin used to be rented as an overflow for the park. It is small about 650sf. We have 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen/great room, and a loft with 2 twins. there is a screened-in porch. It had electricity, running water, fireplace (we replaced it with a wood/coal stove), a phone since no cell service here, fully furnished right down to silverware! We have 14.5 acres, grandchildren did not have to be tied up, we enjoy wildlife in the backyard, and John has a place to go hunting.

We enjoy coming over. John stays more than I do. Before Covid life was busy with Wild and Crafty BFFS and Heroes for Hooters. I was always busy. We used to come over every weekend. Drive is 4 to 4.5 hours.

This place has brought me many years of happiness and solitude. I have enjoyed time with family and friends. We used to bring my Mom every weekend with us. We would take walks around the property, go for day trips, or just sit on the porch and read. (for years we did not have tv or internet). It was always so peaceful here. Mom even brought a couple of her friends here for the weekend. They hiked to Cranny Crow.

John has taught the littles how to fish.. I proudly display the photos of them on our wall.

We have made friends here, John more so then me. John shot he first bear here. He has shot lots of deer. I love horsebacking and the stables are just down the road.

Even since my last stage 4 diagnosis with cancer to the bones I still like to ride and will continue to as long as I can. Last year we thought I had a hairline fracture in my right femur. So I decided then I would enjoy doing what I wanted until I couldn’t.

I have been working from home since March 2020. I stay in a bubble, I don’t go many places so Fawn Run is the perfect place to relax. I don’t see many people. Just John and I. Eventually, Ava will inherit Fawn Run, I know she will enjoy as much as we do.

A friend posted something today that I agree with “Perhaps they should look at forgiving medical debt for cancer patienst instead of student loans. Education is a choice, cancer is not. Or any medical debt for that matter.”

I agree that would be great. Big Pharma is not going to miss out on the money they are making. There are oral chemos that can cost $18k a month. That’s right $18k!! This is taking 30 tablets a month! $18k for 30 tablets, BUT you may qualify for free if you contact the manufacturer. I did not, I do have good insurance thankfully! There are some men and women that are not fortunate but still cannot afford co pays as high at $3k for drugs. Drugs that are suppose to keep us alive but have so many side effects you are not sure you want to be alive. These drugs do not get rid of the cancer it just makes in manageable to live with.

I am on an oral chemo I take twice daily. 7 days on 7 days off. Its not a drug you can run to the pharmacy for. It has to be ordered and delivered, every other week. The 7 days off is to give you a break from side effects, but not really. Side effects include..Hand and Foot syndrome (HFS is blisters and sore hands and feet, sometimes so bad you cannot walk or touch anything). Diarrhea (even on off weeks), hair loss (mine has thinned), Nails both finger and toe falling off, TMJ (temporomandibular joint), Nausea, dizziness, falling, changes in taste, vomiting, and finally just plain tired. You also have to take special care with your bones. (funny since that is where my cancer is). When you go to the dentist special care has to be taken. Root canals are really not a good option. I have been on this drug since May 2020. It is the 4th drug I have been on in the last 2 years. It has been working so far to slow the progression in my bones.

You wonder why anyone in their right mind (well maybe not) would do this to their body. I wonder sometimes too. But I have a beautiful grand daughter and I want to spend as much life as I can watching the woman she is becoming. She is a teen and does not really want to discuss it, but that’s a story for another day. I have family and friends (special friends) I want more time with. I have places I want to see and experience.

I still believe God has a plan. I sometimes think I am not listening hard enough. I wish he would smack me upside my head and tell me straight out what he wants me to do. lol!! . My favorite verse “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. & Exodus 14:14 “the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Maybe I am not being still enough??

Love and Health

So it has been one year since I started working from home due to Covid-19.

I work for the State of Delaware. I had only been at my job for almost 1 year. I started my new job shortly after our car accident. I love the people I work with, I love what I do, and I was enjoying th office setting ( I hadn’t worked in an office in 20 years). Because of my immune system (due to cancer and oral chemo), I was advised to not work in the office (this was prior to mask mandate), I had been diagnosed with pneumonia in Feb and still dealing with that. I could barely walk from the main office door to my office.

So I proceed home hoping we would be able to work from home. Thankfully the next Monday oot was decided to commence telecommuting.

So I am working from home still struggling with pneumonia, Doctors were not seeing patients, everything was discussed over the phone. It was so bad I ended up in the ED. John sat in the parking lot for 7 hours while I was there. No one other than the patient was allowed in the hospital at this time. After 7 hours they decide to admit me. Mind you they tape a piece of paper on you letting everyone know you are a “Covid Risk”! So you are being wheeled to your room and EVERYONE you pass can speculate!!

I spent the next 2 days in Bayhealth Sussex alone. Thank God for cell phones. The only communication with the outside world. I was test for EVERYTHING. Covid, Lymes, MRSA, Legionella, Strep, Bacterial infection, you name it I was tested! I was negative for all but pneumonia. What a crazy few days!

Around the time I was released West Virginia was not as affected by Covid as Delaware was. John and I own a cabin in WV. We purchased it 2 years after my first cancer diagnosis in 1996. It’s a beautiful little cabin in the mountains. After my first diagnosis, we realized life is short. This is my stress relief place. I have always enjoyed my WV time and with stage 4 even more. Just the quiet, sittingon the porch, seeing friends, horseback riding and jusst riding around the country side. Since everything was closed down, WV seemed like a good get away. I did nothave to leave the truck til we got to the gate. since it is 4.5 hours no potty breaks for me.

As this year ends and another begins, I am getting ready to celebrate 2 years with the State. I am still working from home, I am greteful to still be here.

Love and Health

Good Morning!! I know it has been a bit since I wrote.

3/6/2019 was a very exciting day!! It started out as a pretty normal day. a few days before I had accepted a position witht the Delaware Department of Insurance. I was so happy to being continuing with the work I had been doing for 30+ years.

3/6/2021 was also Ash Wednesday. John is catholic, I am not but have been planning on converting. Anyway, that’s another story. John and I had met close family friends Bob and Gloria at St Bernadette’s Catholic Church in Harrington for ashes. Afterward, I had remembered I had to run by Burtons to pick up a water bottle I had left there earlier in the morning. so John and I ran by there, then headed into Milford for some other running. Post office for stamps. Walgreens for a birthday card. On our way home heading west on Milford Harrington Hwy, we were just talking and approaching Church Hill Rd. Both of us saw the small pick up on Church Hill Rd and as we were talking, we both realized he was not stopping for the stop sign. John’s tried to avoid t-boning the small truck, so he swerved to the left into the east bound lane, thankfully no one was coming in that lane. Unfortunately, the small pickup struck my passenger side door. Between the impact and the momentum of both vehicles, our Dodge 1500 rolled 2+ times and spun around so we ended up facing Milford. On impact, I can remember covering my eyes and praying “Dear God we cannot die together”. We landed on the driver’s side. I yelled for John to make sure he was ok. I was hanging in my seat belt, John was able to get out of his and sit on the window. Except for hitting his knee, he appeared unhurt. We were trying to see if the other vehicle was ok and where it was. Someme on came to the rear of the truck asked if we were ok. John let them know we were. A few minutes later we heard helicopter, fire trucks and ambulances aproaching.

It was pretty amazing no glass broke, in fact, they had to break the front windshield to remove John. All of the airbags had deployed, this is what kept us safe from injury. Thank you Chrysler/Dodge!

While we were waiting, I guess John needed something to do so he started looking through things that flew around the cab when his console opened. I found the stamps he had just purchased and handed them to me to hold onto. Keep in mind I am still hanging in my seat belt. I held on to those stamps til I go to the hospital. It had been a month since I had hurt my back during a 5k.

The VFD Crews from Houston and Milford came to our rescue!! After they realized our injuries were not life threatening they sent the helicopter back. They broke the windshield to get John out. put him in the ambulance. I was more worried about him. I could see his blood pressure had risen really scared me. Mind you…I am still hanging!! It was obvious the truck was a total loss. They ended up using the jaws of life to peel the roof off to get me out. They kept asking how I was doing I just replied “fine just hangin around”!

when they did get me out, we were taken to the new Bayhealth Sussex Campus. On the way there I realized we did not have a way home from the hospital and I needed to let our friends know. I called Kim, she works in an office by herself but she needed to be the first one. Explained what happened and where we were heading. Called Loretta next, explained to her. she was on her way in a flash, and called Glenn to stay with John. We were in the same ED but on opposite sides.

I am so grateful to God, My Mom, John’s Mom (they were all watching over us and heard my prayers) for giving us more time with our granddaughter, family and friends. I am thankful the person that struck us was not seriously injured either.

I was able to start my new job on 3/18/2019. Several months later I received the diagnoisis my cancer had come back after 4 years in remission.

I truly believe God has a plan for me. I don’t think I am always listening close enough.

I thought I would give some incite on H4H. It was started in 2013 as a result of co-chairing the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. My Strides Co-chair Susanne Whitney thought it would be a fun way to raise money. We contact Cowboy Up Felicia Baker to hold the fundraiser there. Little did we know the success it would be. So it has continued every year since.

H4H is a community non profit raising money for Breast Cancer and first responders with help from Local Police and Firefighters.

The event was called Lights and Sirens. meaning Police pitted against Firefighters to raise money. Cowboy Up had two bars so we had Police volunteers in one and Firefighters in another. We also had Chinese auction items, silent auction items, 50/50, and live auction. Each year money was donated to the American Cancer Society, local police, and firefighters. For a couple of years there were tragic events leading to the loss of a Policeman, Firefighters, and Correctional officer. Each time we donated to those events as well.

We also volunteered to hep other organizations with their fundraisers. Our were so successful and we enjoyed being in the community. We were in local Christmas parades and St Patrick’s parades. We wanted our name out there. We always took some of our funds for Toys for Tots. We also support June Jam each year and are a vender at their event.

We are a fun group of women. We even have our granddaughters involved. Ava has been involved since the beginning. She was 7 when she started.

Over the years our mission has changed a bit. We still support Breast cancer, but we have added all cancers. We are more local with our support homeless, veterans, military and our 1st responders as well. We love being in the commuity and supporting out community.

Look us up on facebook