Avon Kiss Goodbye to Cancer Crusade

During October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there are many Fund Raising Benefits taking place. One of them was the Avon Kiss Goodbye to Cancer Crusade held in the Sam's Club Parking Lot on Gallatin Pike Road.

Lee Stephens organized the Avon Cancer Benefit 5 years ago in memory of her Father, Ross Russell, who lost his battle with Cancer. Stephens is not only honoring her Father's memory; she is helping to raise awareness and funds to FIND A CURE. With her dedication the Event has grown in the last 5 years and is embraced by the community and surrounding areas.

Stephens and her crew, with the help of Peggy Holt, Marketing Team Leader from Sam's Club, did an excellent job putting this Event together. For the past 3 years the Sam's Club on Gallatin Pike Road has allowed use of a portion of their parking lot for the fund raising effort.

Tickets were available to be purchased for the face painting, beanbag toss, and cakewalk and kissing board. From what I saw each of those stations had folks taking part in the activities and enjoying themselves.

In keeping with the theme of the Benefit, KISS GOODBYE TO CANCER CRUSADE, there was a kissing board where folks could place their kiss good bye to cancer. (Lipstick available for those who needed it) When I left the board was just starting to fill up with the goodbye kisses. This was a favorite booth of the folks who were there.

There were venders with an array of items and food stuffs including: a harvest booth with pumpkins, gourds and lovely plants, Avon booths, Crafts, Candles, gently used items, refreshment stand and etc. The venders purchased booth space and many that I spoke with, including Judy Sprouse and Spenser Harris said the money that they would be making would be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. This is a win-win situation in the fight against this terrible disease.

Karah Marie Tucker was the entertainment coordinator. She and her husband, Jay are Tucker Road. They hosted the music part of the show.

A large flat bed trailer, complete with sound equipment and bales of hay, had been set up to serve as a stage. Among the many artists who were there to donate their talent were Tresa Street, Tucker Road and the great Charlie Louvin who is a member of the Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame. He had more stories than a hound dog has fleas, as my daddy used to say. Speaking of hound dogs, when Elvis was getting started he opened for Charlie Louvin. I found that and the many stories he told so interesting...

The CD, Musical Memories for the Cause 2006 5th Annual Avon Breast Cancer Benefit, was for sale. All proceeds going for to "help kiss breast cancer goodbye". The cd that had songs by Tucker Road, Tresa Street, Charlie Louvin, Help Wanted, Johnnie Bubar, Avery Hovey, and Hillside Express on it. Charlie Louvin donated pictures of him and Elvis to be sold and the money made from the sales going to the war against Cancer.

A lot of hard work and planning went into getting the benefit organized and running smoothly..It was a huge team undertaking. From what I saw this Kiss Goodbye to Cancer Crusade was a huge success.

Article Written & Submitted by Joyce Clark