GOSHEN — For eight years, the Elkhart County community has been competing for the best-decorated bra. The Retreat Women’s Health Center of IU Health Goshen is raising money for HeartStrings Sisters through the ninth annual Decorated Bra Contest.

The total eight-year donation amount is $10,931, providing nearly 60 free screening mammograms to women in need right here in our community.

“This contest gives our patients, community and Colleagues a way to raise awareness and promote regular breast health and annual screenings,” Hollie Carlson, women’s health educator, IU Health Goshen, said. “At The Retreat, we encourage you to take advantage of our breast screening and risk assessment programs. Regardless of how good you feel or look, it’s important that you take charge of your health.”

Entry forms are available at The Retreat or online at www.goshenbracontest.comand must be submitted by 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. The contest is open to community groups and individuals, businesses, Colleagues, service clubs and youth groups.

Entries should be dropped off at The Retreat Women’s Health Center, 1135 Professional Drive, Goshen, and must include a copy of the completed entry form.

Deadlines for online submissions are Monday, Sept. 5. Late entries will be accepted but are only eligible for the on-site Bra Gallery voting. Standard entries should utilize a mannequin or hanger. Alternative or specialty display methods must be dropped off with your contest entry. Bras will be on display at The Retreat’s Decorated Bra Gallery and online Oct. 1-31.

There are two ways to vote for a favorite decorated bra; on-site voting at The Retreat Women’s Health Center and online voting at www.goshenbracontest.com.

On-site voting at The Retreat Women’s Health Center will be as follows:

• Voting is open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, Oct. 1-31
• Votes are accumulated by collecting donations for HeartStrings Sisters
• Voting cans will be clearly labeled with each entry’s name, photo and designer
• Cast your vote by placing your donation into the corresponding canister

Online voting will be as follows:

• Available Oct. 1-31
• Participants may submit their online vote for $1 a vote