Guests of the fourth annual Power of Pink purse auction eye which purse they will place a bid on. There were about 20 purses for guests to bid on and many of them were accompanied with a bottle of wine, chocolates or a gift card to a local eatery.

Text and Photos
By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

LEESBURG — “Every year this event gets bigger and bigger and we are so blessed to live in such a giving community,” Julee Rauch, chairwoman of Power of Pink committee, noted as she made her opening remarks. “Every penny raised here today, stays in this wonderful community.”

The fourth annual Power of Pink, a fundraising event for the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund, was held Sunday, Oct. 13 at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. The event manages to grow each year it is held. Tickets were sold online ahead of the event.

The handcrafted centerpieces, created by Debi Mayer, were raffled off during the Power of Pink event.

The event area was decorated in varying shades of pink and guests were on theme, donning their finest pink outfits. The tables were decorated with handcrafted centerpieces, created by Debi Mayer. The pieces were raffled off as a finale to the event, increasing the funds raised even more. The handcrafted centerpieces were accompanied with a pink bird trinket dish, donated by Absolutely Gifts.

Each guest was also gifted a mixed bag of chocolate covered nuts, pretzels and caramels, provided by Brew City Roasting Co. In addition to the chocolates, the Syracuse-based roasting company roasted a special blend of coffee specifically for the event. The special blend was named after the event, The Power of Pink Blend Coffee. Bags were available for purchase, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Care Fund.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with the lovely acoustic melodies of husband-wife duo, Tenna Nichols and Todd Biller and handed a glass of sparkling rosé. Guests were served a plated brunch, which included local greens salad with raspberry vinaigrette, Cancer Care tartine with freshly smashed avocado, tomato and prosciutto topped with softly scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese and a side of fresh fruit. Brunch was topped off with a scoop of raspberry sorbet before the bidding wars began.

Rauch welcomed the guests to the event and spoke about the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund, noting so far in 2024, the fund has donated $118,414 to 72 clients throughout the county. These funds have been dispersed to help offset or cover the cost of rent and mortgages, utilities, car payments and rentals, gas and food certificates, car insurance and repairs, home insurance and repairs, life and health insurance, prescription medications and patient programs.

The Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund was formed in 1999 to “build a support system specifically for residents of Kosciusko County diagnosed with cancer and in financial need.” Volunteers of Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund have a simple mission — “to reduce the challenges facing cancer patients and their families by financially assisting them during their fight.” Power of Pink is one of several events the committee organizes to raise funds. Earlier in the year, the committee hosted Glow Golf at Wawasee Golf Club and another charity golf event at Maxwelton Golf Club.

The purse auction event boasted a long list of desirable designer purses. Designers included Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach, Tumi, Tory Burch and Tommy Bahama. There were 20 purses donated for the event. There were also several gift baskets for guests to bid on. Items in the gift baskets ranged from cut glass, French champagne, fancy chocolates, botox and salon essentials. Numerous purses were accompanied with bottles of wine and gift cards to various different local eateries and businesses.

A special trio of purses were donated by designer Sharon Reinking of I’m A Jewel Designs. The trio of purses were hand-created especially for the Power of Pink event. The trio of purses are dedicated to three special cancer survivors in the designers’ life.

As the bags were being auctioned, they were being modeled by Warsaw Tigers Cole Koontz and Brody Duncan and Wawasee Warriors Grayson Lashley and Josiah Jones. James Fidler was the auctioneer for the event. Fidler is the father to a cancer survivor who has utilized the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund.

Supporters of the event include Lutheran Health Network, In Transport, Ruhe 152, Goshen Health, K21 Health Foundation, Warsaw Cut Glass, Doug and Jeannine Schrock, I’m A Jewel Designs, Janet McCully, Julee Rauch, James Fidler, Teena Nichols, Tenna Nichols, Todd Biller, Liz Surface, Absolutely Gifts, Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, ERS Wireless, DePuy Synthes, RO Sales and Travel Inc., the Bertsch Family, Lake City Honda-Kawasaki, Brew City Roasting Co., Debbie Hartman, Tom and Patty Kelley, Shipley Dental Innovations, DeBrands Chocolate, Laura Brueckmann, Janet Hansen, Debbie Mayer, Jacinda Metz, Salon Ash and Oak & Alley.

While the total numbers are still being tabulated, every penny raised from the purse auction and other Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund events will stay in Kosciusko County and help community members struggling with financial hardships through their cancer journey.

To make a donation to the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund, click here.