By Heather Lusk
Jeff Papa isn’t planning his own stand-up comedy act, but along with friend Steve Wolff he is sponsoring a night of comedy to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
“You have this goal to raise funds, so I thought that would be a fun way to do it,” said Papa, a Zionsville town council member. He is among 28 community leaders in the Indianapolis area asked to participate in Real Men Wear Pink to raise funds and awareness in October for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Participants are also asked to wear pink throughout October.
Zionsville residents Hunter Smith and Ray Cortopasi are among local participants.
The Papa-Wolff Comedy Night Against Breast Cancer at 8 p.m. Oct. 8 will feature Jeff Bodart from the Bob and Tom show and local comedian Bill Gibson at the Antelope Club in Indianapolis.
Wolff, who co-founded an orphanage in Nepal with Papa, had connections with the comedy duo.
“We think it’s a way to have a nice evening and raise a little bit of money,” Papa said.
This is the first year that Real Men Wear Pink has come to the Indianapolis area after test programs in other markets “exploded” last year, according to Beverly Austin, senior market manager of Community Engagement for the American Cancer Society in Indianapolis.
Austin said nominees were selected from a wish list of business sectors in town. Some of the nominees offered suggestions of their own, helping to surpass a goal of 25 participants.
The man who raises the most money by the end of October will be recognized and win two airline tickets.
“Jeff’s going to be a good candidate,” Austin said.
Tickets are $20 per person and will go toward Papa’s goal of raising $2,500. They can be purchased through the Facebook page facebook.com/events/333766190299592/.
Although the show is limited to the first 50 people, Papa said contingency plans are in place for a second show it sells out.
