Contact: Heidi Schlicher
(804) 698-1174
Virginia House of Delegates
February 16, 2009
Virginia House of Delegates Raise Over $6,400
for Komen Foundation for Cancer Research
Delegates, Staff, and Visitors raise donations for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
through Valentine’s Day Office Decorating Contest, Bake Sale and Auction
The Virginia House of Delegates has raised over $6,400 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - Race for the Cure. On Thursday, February 12, 2009 delegates and staff decorated their offices for the annual Virginia House of Delegates Valentine’s Day Decorating Contest and asked employees and visitors to donate money to the office with the best decorations. “Each dollar acts as a vote,” said Sharon Crouch, director of the Virginia House of Delegates Information Systems. “No donation is too small and definitely not too big.”
All of the money raised will be donated to the Komen 5k Race for the Cure which takes place in May at Kanawa Plaza in downtown Richmond. Anna Hanback, House Human Resources Director and a breast cancer survivor, helped organize a bake sale and auction which raised nearly $5,000 alone. That’s a sizable increase from the $500 raised at the first such event six years ago. The total funds raised through the bake sale, auction and decorating contest will be donated under her Race for the Cure Team, “Anna’s Bananas.” “I am so touched by the generosity we have seen this year,” noted Ms. Hanback, who has been a breast cancer survivor for six years and was joined by another 40 survivors at this year's events. “I am so glad that we were able to raise money for this wonderful cause.”
Offices decorated included Delegate John Cosgrove, of Chesapeake, who sang “love songs” to individuals who donated money at his office. Also among those whose offices decorated was that of Delegate Joe Morrissey with the theme “Fightin’ Joe Fights for the Cure,” and included the old fashioned “Rockem’ Sockem’” games for contributors to play.
The 2009 contest winner, which raised the most money for office decorations, was the House Information Systems whose theme was “Go Green for Valentine’s Day – Love our Planet – Renew, Reuse, Recycle.” All of the decorations were made from recycled and reused materials including Target bags, candy wrappers, and toner packaging.
“I am pleased with the outpouring of support by the House of Delegates’ members, staff and guests for the ongoing efforts to find a cure to breast cancer,” remarked Virginia Speaker of the House William J. Howell. “In these tough financial times for Virginians, it is reassuring to see people digging deep and continuing to contribute hard earned dollars for worthwhile efforts, like the Komen Foundation for Cancer Research, to fight this terrible disease.”
