Luminaries raise awareness, funds for local charity

The Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) is once again helping people in need and is doing so by selling luminaries and placing them on the streets of towns in Sanders County for their CNSC Luminaria event.

"Every year our non-profit organization holds this fundraiser that helps contribute to the financial needs of patients and families suffering from a diagnosis of cancer," commented volunteer and CNSC Vice President Sherryl Wachob. "The event also helps to serve as a reminder that many of these people hail from our own county and that they do desperately need the help of others," added Wachob.

This year the CNSC placed over 100 luminaries in Noxon, about 20 in Plains and around 50 each in Thompson Falls and Hot Springs. "The luminaries consist of a battery powered votive candle inside of a white paper sack full of sand and each one has a name and or message written upon them in dedication to those who have and those who continue to battle cancer," commented volunteer Pauline LaPointe. Each unit also comes with a one gallon zipper locking storage bag that goes around the entire unit and protects it from water damage. "This way the luminaries can be reused as long as they stay intact. In fact around 100 of the luminaries placed this year are recycled from last year," LaPointe added.

Volunteers and staff with the CNSC are enthusiastic and grateful to the generous folks of Sanders County who have donated time, effort and or funds to their cause. "This truly is a labor of love. It is hard work to create, sell and place the luminaries and we are out here laboring for love," said volunteer Terry Anne Buchanan. "The CNSC gifts each person in Sanders County suffering from cancer $900 a year to help with affording necessities during these trying times," added Buchanan. The CNSC is a registered non-profit organization and relies on donations made by those in the community in order to continue operating and helping and is enthusiastic and grateful for the giving spirit of so many helpful and giving community members.

The CNSC plans to continue the luminaries fundraiser each year. "We are going to continue having this event during Huckleberry Festival time in Sanders County," commented Wachob. "We encourage everyone to participate if they can and we also want to inform people as to our upcoming Halloween Extravaganza event on October 22. This is our biggest event of the year and we will be holding a best in costume contest as well as live and silent auctions at the event," Wachob added.

"We at the CNSC just want to thank our community for your continued support. If there is anyone out there looking to contribute to our cause we want them to know that we are always accepting donations and we are grateful to those who have donated and to those who will," said Wachob. Donations for CNSC can be mailed to P.O. Box 1311 Plains, MT 59859. Call (406) 970-6242 for more information.