Ready to WALK: Breast cancer awareness poker run, pub crawl and walk Saturday
Raising awareness during national Breast Cancer Awareness month, Kathy Van Selow and her Mermaid family, along with other neighborhood watering holes on Fort Myers Beach, will be hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness poker pub crawl and walk Saturday, Oct. 16, with sign-up beginning at 11 a.m. at the Mermaid Lounge.
“With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, the gals and I were talking and came up with this great benefit, involving many of our other beach businesses,” said Kathy Van Selow, co-owner of The Mermaid Lounge, along with her husband, Scott, and daughter, Valerie. “Sandy from Semmer Electric has been helping out a whole lot with this walk. She actually found the organization this fund-raiser will benefit the Lisabet Anna Buesing Foundation. I was so touched by Lisabet’s story.”
The Lisabet Anna Buesing Foundation was set up by her mother. At a mere 25 years old, local girl Lisabet was diagnosed and perished from breast cancer, leaving behind her 3-year old on, Adrian. The foundation was founded to help young, single mothers with breast cancer.
“The walk will begin at noon and take us to some great Fort Myers Beach spots,” Kathy said. “We’ll start at The Mermaid, and go to The Beach Pub, then head to the Beached Whale, the Lighthouse Tiki, the Smokin’ Oyster Brewery, Nemo’s, and then back to The Mermaid,” where the winners of the best hand and worst hand will be awarded.”
The cost to participate in the walk/pub crawl is $20, which includes a complimentary drink at each of the stops (domestic beer or well drink).
“Paula Towell is working the poker side of the benefit,” Kathy said. “At each stop, you will pick a card and it will be recorded on a chart. At the end of the walk, we’ll tally all the results.”
After the walk, a conclusionary gathering will be held at The Mermaid, with some snacks, more raffles, prizes, 50/50s and a ton of fun.
Prizes for the winning hand ($100) and worst hand ($50) will be awarded.
“I want to give a big, fat thank you to everyone who is going to participate the people and the bars,” Kathy said. “All of the funds we bring in is going directly to Lisabet’s foundation.”
For more information, or to make a donation to the cause, call Kathy Van Selow at 765-9100.