$50,000.00 and Beyond!

We did it! Team Erica did it..over $82,000.00 raised!

Saturday night, June 15th marked the end of my 10 week competition for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

After accepting my nomination to compete in March I got right to work figuring out how I would reach the lofty goal I set for myself. The LLS was giving me 10 weeks to raise as much money as possible and IF I hit 50k I could name a research project after my father in law, Bob Brummer.
April 4th was our official kick off date and Team Erica got busy.
In ten weeks my "Hooked On A Cure" campaign got underway with a litany of events. Some of the events were:
A Facial Event... Wax-A-Thon...Skin Care Product Raffle and Bake Sale all of which took place at my business, Skin & Bones Day Spa in Little Silver. (A million thanks to my fabulous staff! Special "shout out" to Lauren and Florence)
We had a ton of fun raising money at what was the most successful fund raiser the Brighton Bar in West End has seen! That was a rocking fun night and the 3 bands that played generously donated their night to our fight!
The Long Branch Elks #742 kindly hosted an event for us on June 1st. I think there were over 55 gift auction items, 3 bands donated their time, the elks made tons of food and the time had by all was great. That event helped us raise over $9000.00
One of our other fun events was a Corn Hole Tournament (bean bag toss) that friend Claire Peluso headed up for me at Piping Rock Park in Rumson! Claire is herself a Lymphoma SURVIVOR!
The Oceanport Pre School had a bike-a-thon in the spirit of raising funds and those little kids peddled $2,500. to our efforts! Great work!
Good friend Andy McOrmond raised over $20,000. in donations for our campaign and did it by running the Spartan Race! Brutal!!! And one his whole group!
The rest of the funds raised came from people like you and me that want to help make a difference. So many of you shared your own personal stories of a fight you won or someone lost. We are all effected in one way or another by some kind of illness, cancer, disease or hardship. It is with campaigns like the one that I just completed that cures and help arrive.
On Saturday night I was confident that I hit my goal of $50k but would have to wait for the final results to be sure. When it was time to name the "Woman of the Year" and they called my name the total announced was $82,3000.00 !!!!!
My chin hit the floor and the crowd erupted! I was so beyond blown away at what a group of determined people could accomplish in such a short amount of time!
I will get to name that research project after my father in law and I have complete joy knowing that I did something that will make a difference to those that are praying and waiting for something to help them today.
I have so much love and gratitude to every single person that helped me in any way at all. It was such an amazing experience.
I have a profound respect and understanding for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and all that they do. I will forever be happy to support their efforts!
I want to thank Stacey Gregerson Weathers and Ashley Brennan for not only nominating me but encouraging me.