Michelle's Place offers numerous fundraising events during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Halle Kowalewski

Intern

This year, local nonprofit Michelle’s Place is celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a series of fundraisers and events that benefit countless women in the Temecula area. These events span from slot tournaments to fashion shows and all promise an evening of fun to participants.

In addition to these fundraising events, Michelle’s Place will offer free mammogram cancer screenings all month. These screenings detect cancer before more prominent symptoms appear. They are incredibly beneficial in catching cancer early and improving cancer patients’ prognosis.

Michelle’s Place will host the Believe Walk in Downtown Redlands, Oct. 7. The annual event is put on by Stater Bros. charities and Inland Women Fighting Cancer, organizations which have both been a prominent player in local cancer efforts.

Participants can raise money in teams, individually or on behalf of their businesses. The Believe Walk’s wall of fame currently shows the top participants, with having raised as much as $3000. Register at http://www.believeie.com.

Local store Dream Dinners will provide families with the opportunity to cook three meals Tuesday, Oct. 9, in support of Michelle’s Place. Participants will be taught how to make three separate dishes which they can then take home and share with their families. The program, which costs $35, donates $10 to Michelle’s Place for every participant. RSVP at http://www.dreamdinners.com.

Harrah’s All-in-4-Pink tournament will operate for October. They will hold slot tournaments every Wednesday, 3-7 p.m., at their resort and casino located in Funner.

The slot tournament has a $20 entrance fee, all of which goes directly to Michelle’s Place. The tournament is played for glory rather than prize money and promises the most success for players with luck, speed and precision, according to Harrah’s. Players are welcome to participate as many times as they would like throughout the month.

Harrah’s is located at 777 S. Resort Dr., in Valley Center.

Singer and songwriter JD Priest will perform at Festa Europa Friday, Oct. 19. The event, hosted by Europa Village, boasts wine, food, atmosphere and live music. Admission is free, but the purchase of food tickets benefits Michelle’s Place. The chef’s plate costs $18. Read the menu and RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/events/245051576212932/.

Visit the third annual Cars and Stars show Saturday, Oct. 20. Located at Quakes Stadium in Rancho Cucamonga, the event offers a car and motorcycle show, specialty vendors, a large variety of food, children’s activities, live entertainment and raffle prizes. Entrance to the event is free, and car registrations cost $30, payable at the door.

The car show, which has run for three years, was created by the sheriff’s department and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In addition to Michelle’s Place, the event also benefits other local cancer charities. Register at http://www.carsnstarscarshow.com.

Baron’s Market will hold the Backroom Beer Pairing Wednesday, Oct. 24, which will “transform loading docks and stock rooms into local brew speakeasies.” The event includes gourmet food and beer provided by Abnormal Beer Co. Tickets cost $15, and 100 percent of sales goes to Michelle’s Place. Purchase tickets at http://www.baronsmarket.com.

Designs on a Vine will preview their fall line, Oct. 23, at their second annual Taco Tuesday Fashion Show. Attendees can watch a preview of the designer’s fall line while eating gourmet tacos and sipping complimentary beverages. All proceeds will support Michelle’s Place. Tickets cost $10. Purchase them at http://www.michellesplace.org.

The So Cal Divas of Blues Music Festival will support Michelle’s Place Saturday, Oct. 27. They will donate a portion of their sales to Michelle’s Place and the National Breast Cancer Foundation in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

All eight acts are fronted by women who exemplify women’s influence on modern blues. The event will take place in the Civic Center Plaza in Old Town Temecula. Tickets range from $38 to $125 and can be purchased at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/socal-divas-of-blues-music-festival-tickets-46169174243.

The Shop for a Cause event will also raise funds for Michelle’s Place. Participants are invited to shop at the Outlets of Lake Elsinore, where they will be privy to special deals and promotions as well as a series of perks such as a bag check station, an energy and pamper station, a casino room and a raffle. The $20 fee for tickets benefits a variety of charities, Michelle’s Place included. Tickets are available at the door or through Michelle’s Place.

Some local businesses also offer monthlong promotions in support of Michelle’s Place. Refuge Brewer will donate $1 for every pour of their “Saving Second Base” beer. They will also sell pink ribbons for patrons who prefer non-alcoholic beverages. Refuge Brewery is located at 43040 Rancho Way in Temecula.

During October, Texas Roadhouse Menifee encourages patrons to purchase gift certificates which will be donated to the patients at Michelle’s Place. Wear pink when eating at Texas Roadhouse Oct. 23, and 10 percent of the order will be donated to Michelle’s Place. Texas Roadhouse is located at 29860 Haun Road in Menifee.

Brighton Collectibles at the Promenade Temecula also offers a special promotion for October. They are selling their Power of Pink bracelet which is “designed to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who are touched by breast cancer.” Twenty-two bracelets were sold at the kick-off event, resulting in $220 being raised for Michelle’s Place. Brighton Collectibles Temecula is located at 40820 Winchester Road.

Halle Kowalewski can be reached by email at [email protected].