By Abby Walton
For many families, it’s the women who are the caretakers of the group. Mothers, aunts, grandmothers, sisters and daughters are always trying to make sure everyone is happy and healthy.
However, a diagnosis of breast cancer changes all of that in an instant. Treatments and surgeries often leave women tired and on the mend. It’s during this time that women should be focusing on themselves, but instead, they’re still worrying about who’s going to do the laundry or take care of the yard. That’s where the non-profit organization, Indiana Women in Need, swoops in to help. The mission of IWIN is to be the “neighbor next door” to any Indiana woman going through breast cancer.
To provide services like running errands or child-care, IWIN relies on volunteers and community events to raise money. One of those events is coming up on Sept. 19 when the Zionsville Lady Eagles Volleyball team hosts its Pasta Night. For a few dollars, families can get a pasta dinner, served up by the Zionsville Fire Dept., then head to the gym to watch the Lady Eagles take on Westfield.
“This event just keeps growing every year,” said Frances Pokrifcak, who’s helping organize this year’s event.
Tickets for the dinner are $7 for adults and $5 for students and children. Besides the dinner and volleyball game, there also will be a silent auction.
“We’re still talking with businesses about donating items,” Pokrifcak said.
If your business would like to donate something, you can email Frances at [email protected]. The volleyball team will also be selling T-shirts at the event.
Every year, volleyball teams across the country participate in events to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.
“This year, we really wanted to focus on giving back to our own community and that’s why we’re so happy to partner up with IWIN,” Pokrifcak said.
One of IWIN’s goals is to showcase how small events, like the ZCS Volleyball Pasta night, really do have a huge impact when it comes to raising money to help support Indianapolis women living with breast cancer.
After the Junior Varsity game on the 19th, Pokrifcak said they’ll honor women who’ve survived breast cancer as well as those who’ve lost their fight. Also, a representative from IWIN will speak about the organization and reveal an important milestone it’s reached.
“We are really honored to be hosting this event,” said Dawn Jones, the VCS H.S. Volleyball coach.
Last year’s event raised around $1,500 and both ladies said they hope with added community support, that number will only grow. If you’d like to learn more about IWIN, you can check out their website at www.iwinfoundation.org.