HOLIDAY 'WRAPPED' IN HUMANITY
Annual luncheon, fashion show benefits Cancer Society
LISA CAPITELLI n Staff Writer
Women peruse auction items at the convention center last year during the annual "Holiday Wrappings" luncheon to benefit the American Cancer Society. (Nov. 27, 2009) A fashion show featuring clothing from more than a dozen local retailers and silent and Chinese auctions are just a few of the highlights of next month's "Holiday Wrappings" luncheon at the Ocean City convention center to benefit the American Cancer Society.
"It's a very nice, elegant event," said Holiday Wrappings co-chairwoman, Dawne Pappas, who has been involved with the cancer society for more than 18 years. She is currently co-chairwoman of the organization's Tri-County Leadership Council. "It's the largest social gathering for a cause on the Shore."
Area stores showcasing merchandise from children's to adult fashion at the Dec. 8 luncheon include Bruder Hill, Coconut Kids, Crazy Ladyz, K-Coast, Lennox East Beach Bride, Nancy N, Paws & Claws, Quiet Storm, Raggamuffin, Sea Quest, Southern Exposure Beach Life, Southern Exposure Seaside, South Moon Under, You're Invited and Velvet Pearl.
Musical entertainment will be provided by Todd Crosby, Berlin Intermediate School's bell choir and Most Blessed Sacrament's choir. Silent and Chinese auctions will offer items donated by area businesses. Centerplate, the exclusive caterer and concessionaire for the convention center, will prove the food for the luncheon.
Jim Dickerson, owner of Francis Scott Key Family Resort in West Ocean City, will serve as the master of ceremony and Rosemary Thomas, vice president of advancement at Salisbury University, will be the mistress of ceremony.
During the event, several of the American Cancer Society programs, including Look Good Feel Better, which helps patients learn to cope with the cosmetic side-effects of treatment; Reach to Recovery, one-on-one counseling by trained breast cancer survivors; Road to Recovery, through which volunteers transport patients to and from medical facilities for treatments; and Man to Man, a prostate cancer support group, will be recognized along with the people who maintain them. Past Holiday Wrappings committee members will also be honored.
"The American Cancer Society helps people celebrate more birthdays by saving lives, by helping people stay well, by helping peoples get well, by finding cures and by fighting back," according to www.cancer.org.
To celebrate, Holiday Wrappings guests will each be served a cupcake.
The luncheon is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The cost is $40 per person. The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, Nov. 30. They can be purchased at the convention center box office on 40th Street or by sending a check, made payable to American Cancer Society, to Sue Fisher at 12314 South Hampton Drive, Bishopville, Md. 21813.
Nearly 700 people attended the 2008 event and helped to raise approximately $40,000 for the American Cancer Society. The money donated to the organization this year will support local programs and services as well as benefit national research.
For more information about Holiday Wrappings, e-mail Pappas at dpappo@comcast.net or call 443-880- 2310. To learn more about the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org or call 800-ACS- 2345.
