Letters: Ringing in the new year with an attitude of gratitude

The South Lake Tahoe Cancer League has a lot to be grateful for this past year. For nearly four decades, the volunteers of this organization have driven patients from South Lake Tahoe to their medical treatment, at no charge to the patients or their families. The drivers take patients to Reno, Carson City, Minden, Truckee, and as far away as UC Davis. The Cancer League also gives limited monetary assistance in the form of small grants to the patients to help with their monthly expenses.

This year in particular, our community has responded with amazing generosity. We would like to thank the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge for all the work to put on the Longest Day of Golf at Tahoe Paradise Golf Course. The Moose Lodge has also held two smaller fundraisers for us at their facility, where David Fabrizio and Lady DJ Dona Baxter both donated their time to make these events more enjoyable. The Moose Lodge raised approximately twelve thousand dollars for us this year. The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and American Century Golf graciously donated four thousand dollars, and the Barton Foundation also came through with a generous five thousand dollar grant. The County of El Dorado Veterans’ Affairs Commission, in conjunction with the El Dorado Community Foundation, recently gave us a three thousand, five hundred dollar Veteran’s Mini Grant to assist local veterans fighting cancer. The Hard Rock Casino and Hotel came together with a Pinktober promotion where employees and visitors alike raised thirteen thousand, one hundred and thirty four dollars, to help our local patients. Turtle Park gave a benefit concert for us as well. Thank you to Rabbi Evon Yakar for volunteering his expertise to lead a work shop for our board members.

Our community is incredible. NAI Alliance kindly allowed us the use of a vacant store front at 1074 Emerald Bay Road at the Y, where we were able to hold our annual See’s candy fundraiser. The response to this fundraiser was the best it has been in years. Thank you to our vendors: Scotty’s Hardware at the Y, Emerald Bay Salon, Sessions Salon, the Moose Lodge, Champion Carpet to Go, Nel’s Hardware, Lakeside Inn and Casino. Thank you to Sage and Sophia from the advanced art class of Candy Lincoln at South Tahoe High School for dressing the window with beautiful art!

In addition, we have gained new volunteer drivers, new members, and new business members, South Lake Tahoe Mini Storage and Appliance Recyclers. Gary Stanton at the Appliance Recycler supplied a truck to move the items needed, and Tom Clark at Tahoe Mini Storage donated the use of decorations to the candy store. Both of these business owners also volunteered in the store. A big thank you to all the business owners who came in to buy candy for their employees and customers. We know who you are! We appreciate Tahoe Turning Point, which has helped us more than once with the “heavy lifting” required to set up our annual picnic and candy sale. Thank you to all our supporters and volunteers, we couldn’t do this without you! We look forward to continuing to serve the community in the coming year.

Respectfully,
JoAnn Conner
President, South Lake Tahoe Cancer League