Dinner Raises Dollars for Dual Causes

A three-hour fundraiser Wednesday evening at Cooks Corner netted more than $1,300 for Lake Forest Relay for Life team Promo People.

The money will be donated to the American Cancer Society, which in turn will use it to help cancer patients in Orange County, as part of the 2011 Lake Forest Relay for Life event coming up in October.

Participating in Relay for Life is one way the Promo People team, made up of Spectrum Specialties & Awards employees and their family and friends, gives back to the community, according to team captain Mary Visconte.

It is the second annual Relay fundraiser at Cooks Corner, which invites charities to hold fundraisers at the Trabuco Canyon hot spot on Wednesdays.

Attendees spoke of those they knew who had been touched by cancer.

“I’ve known way too many people who are diseased from cancer or are currently undergoing treatment for cancer,” said Elizabeth Smith, who sold raffle tickets at the Wednesday evening event. “[The dinner] is a fun fundraiser for the community."

It is a bonus that the funds raised remain in Orange County to fund research projects and assist cancer patients, Smith added.

Loved ones with cancer is what prompted Promo People chief Visconte to become a Relay supporter as well.

“My grandma had cancer, and a gentleman that was a father figure to me died from cancer," she said.

The original chairman of the Lake Forest Relay for Life, City Councilman Mark Tettemer, also attended the dinner to show his support.

“It’s a great community event for a great cause,” he said. “My mother had cancer, and that’s why I’m involved, and it’s why I got involved. We really appreciate everyone’s help and support.”

More than 55 raffles at the event contributed to the total money raised.

“I came here to support the group because Relay for Life is something that we need for our community and throughout the country,” said Willie Vargas, dropping his raffle tickets into a bag for Angels tickets. “Cancer is a very serious illness and something that we need to tackle immediately.”

The event also supported the food bank of Lake Forest nonprofit South County Outreach, said Visconte.

"We filled more than two barrels of food for the pantry," she said.

The partnership with South County Outreach brought the organization's director of volunteers, Gabrielle Comfort, to the event as well.

“We partnered with [Promo People] last year, and it’s just a wonderful way to collect food for our pantry right now, as the summer months usually mean that our food pantry is running low,” Comfort said.

Visconte said she is planning additional fundraisers in the months leading up to the Lake Forest Relay for Life, which will be held on the track at  Oct. 1 and Oct. 2.