Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 09/12/2011 06:58 PM
Updated by: John_Hamilton on 09/18/2011 07:31 AM
Expires: 01/01/2016 12:00 AM
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A Benefit for My Friend Catherine~by Lacey Neufeld
Some of you may not have heard yet that I have put together a benefit for a very important person in my life, and my husband, Mike, has been dutiful in agreeing to make a fool of himself on my and the benefit's behalf. Let me start out by telling you a little story. When you are a girl growing up in Calaveras County, especially the kind of little girl who grows up singing, dancing, acting, etc., there is nothing more important that looking forward to running for Miss Calaveras... for me it was more important than dreaming about a beautiful wedding one day. So ....
You May Purchase Tickets at The Following Locations:
Pickle Patch in San Andreas
CVS in Valley Springs
Pizza Factory in Valley Springs
Union House in Moke Hill
Well Read Book in Jackson
Little Angels Preschool in Angels Camp
Fairground Office in Angels Camp
OR from YOUR favorite contestant OR at the Door
.important in fact, that when I was in sixth grade, and my brother Ian was at a neighbors house having a party and I got word that Miss Calaveras was there... you better believe it was the biggest news my 6th grade ears had every heard. Catherine Cornish, Miss Calaveras 1992 was only 2 houses away. I HAD to meet her. I went over with my mom and friend Elise, but when it came down to actually introducing myself, I couldn't do it. My mom had to get her autograph for me, and I kept it in a special box for YEARS!
In 1999 I did run for Miss Calaveras myself, and five years ago, I was granted the honor of becoming the director of the pageant. This has been an amazing journey and experience for me. One of the best parts thought, was that Miss Calaveras 1992 was the cohost. So, almost 15 years after I first met her, I found myself working along side her at the very event that drew me towards her in 1992. Catherine has also become an integral part of my life in many other ways. When it was time to put Mason in school there was no one else I would even consider taking him to except Catherine, at Little Angels Preschool. She has been his teach her 2 years now.
Last year at 36 years old, Catherine suffered from a stroke. In the process of trying to figure out why someone in such good health and at such a young age would suffer from a stroke, it was discovered that she had melanoma. Catherine has been through 2 high dose chemo treatments that proved ineffective. She then got on the list to be a clinical patient for a new drug... but during the 2 months of bureacracy her cancer went wild, and we recently learned that it has moved into her brain, making her ineligible for the very drug she has waited so long to take.
Catherine has a son Jonah, and both of them inspire me with their faith and courage everyday. She has more faith in God and His Plan and more strength to follow it than anyone I have ever met. Words can never describe what she has done for our community.
So, that brings us to the benefit. On Sunday, September 18th at 6:00pm at the Ranch House at the Fairgrounds, the Miss Calaveras Volunteer Group will be holding the first ever "Mr. Calaveras" pageant. All of the proceeds for the evening will go to Catherine and Jonah to help them during this difficult trial.
So, here is how you can help be a part of this event. You can come to the pageant - tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance from one of the candidates, at Little Angels, the Fairgrounds Office, or from myself. Or, you can vote. Whichever of the six candidates vying for the first title of Mr. Calaveras is the winner will depend on who can collect the most votes. One vote is $5, or you can purchase 15 votes for $50, or 30 votes for $100. You can buy votes from the same places you can get tickets... or you can just respond to this email and I will make it happen.
Again, all the "votes" really go to Catherine. There are six candidates, and while I encourage you to vote for your favorite... I am also happy to suggest one, Mike Neufeld (my hubby) for being such a good sport. Although, he truly cares for Catherine and wants to help in any way he can. We can take cash or checks made out to "Friends of the Fair." Because our group filters through the non-profit organization, Friends of the Fair, all donations are tax deductible.
Please let me know if you want to vote, or if there is any other way you can help (silent auction and/or raffle prizes, volunteering at the event - we need bartenders and people to bring snacks, dessert items, etc.)
Thank you all for listening to my story and for supporting Catherine during this time.
Also, if you have any friends or coworkers who you think want to pitch in $5 to help someone in need, please ask them too.
Oh, and everyone who votes gets entered into a raffle drawing, so you can be a winner too.
-Lacey
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