CHUMASH CASINO RESORT’S PROJECT PINK RAISES $12K FOR BREAST CANCER RESOURCE CENTER OF SB
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Veronica Sandoval
vsandoval@sychumashfoundation.org
SANTA YNEZ, CA – December 19, 2019 – The Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara held its 12th annual Thrive Fashion Show recently and got a bit of a surprise, thanks to the Chumash Casino Resort’s Project Pink campaign.
Throughout the month of October, the Chumash Casino Resort sold pink-colored pastries, desserts, snacks and drinks in its food outlets with a portion of the proceeds going toward its third annual Project Pink campaign, which raises money during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Paul Hohe, Director of Food and Beverage at the resort, announced at the Thrive Fashion Show that this year’s Project Pink efforts raised more than $6,000, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation issued a matching grant, which allowed him to present a donation of $12,234 to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara.
“I was shocked,” said Silvana Kelly, Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC). “I thought we were only getting ‘Project Pink’ cupcakes to share with the Thrive event guests. I wasn’t expecting a financial donation – and to be so huge. It was a nice surprise. It’s been a challenging fundraising year for us, so this will give a good shot in the arm to our budget for programs and services.”
Since 1997, the BCRC has acted as a clearinghouse of information, personal support through peer-counseling, and referral service conduit for women diagnosed with breast cancer or dealing with benign breast health issues. The BCRC has served as a vital community resource in helping clients navigate and understand the disease management process and bridging gaps in emotional care and education.
To support the BCRC’s mission, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians designated the center as the beneficiary for this year’s Project Pink campaign.
“Our Food and Beverage Department put a lot of thought and creativity into ways of making special items for our guests, all while raising money and awareness for a great organization,” said Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “From bakers to wait staff to baristas, and most importantly our guests, everyone played a part in the success of Project Pink.”
With no government funding, the BCRC dedicates its resources toward programs and services that strive to make their clients’ lives a little more comfortable. The center offers a caring human touch, peer-counseling and emotional support, resource materials, a free lending library and practical programs and necessities that help patients undergoing cancer treatment understand and cope with breast cancer so that they may get through their journey, and on toward well-being and survivorship.
“It takes a community of supporters to keep our doors open, so we’re especially grateful for the support we have received from the Chumash Casino Resort and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation through their Project Pink campaign,” Kelly said.
To learn more about the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara or to make a contribution, visit bcrcsb.org.
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $25 million to hundreds of groups, organizations and schools in the community and across the nation as part of the tribe’s long-standing tradition of giving.