Community Driven and Locally Given

7th Annual “Bras on Broadway” Slated for October 25

it’s a spectacular sight in downtown Fargo every October: over two miles of bras strung together, hanging from the roof of the Hotel Donaldson. The eye-catching display is the focal point of a major fundraiser Bras on Broadway spearheaded by the Hotel Donaldson with the help of many volunteers, artists and sponsors. Old bras and a minimum contribution of $5 are donated by community members who want to help fight breast cancer. The event has generated over $295,000 in proceeds in the past six years.

“The money goes through the American Cancer Society (ACS) to women all over North Dakota and western Minnesota. This is the only fundraiser where money doesn’t go to the national ACS,” said Karen Stoker, owner of the Hotel Donaldson. “It all stays in our region.”

“The first year, the money went for gas cards and wigs,” said Alison Ottesen, Hotel Donaldson general manager. “But gas cards are the biggest need.” The average patient commutes 140 miles to receive cancer treatment. “It doesn’t take that many trips to make a dent in your monthly budget,” Stoker said.

“The event is community-driven and locally given. In essence, it’s done $5 at a time, that’s why I love it so much,” Stoker said. “Enough drops in the bucket put it over the edge. A little bit adds up and makes a big difference. The biggest jump was when more teams volunteered and were able to add the ability to contribute online.”

The actual Bras on Broadway benefit event takes place on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 7pm to 10pm at the Hotel Donaldson. The evening includes a silent auction featuring wearable and non-wearable works of art. Artists are invited to reinvent the bra using the most unlikely materials they can imagine. Bras have been made from glass, wood, feathers, match sticks, neon lights, and most are wearable. Some have a theme or message, like the one made from bullets by artist Shara Diers. Each bullet bears the name of a breast cancer survivor. The bras will be modeled that night by volunteers decked out with body paint and hair styles that enhance the artist’s statement. “We have a lot of non-wearable art that is contributed also a wide variety of beautiful things paintings, textile work, jewelry. Great work.” The HoDo provides food and drinks and there is live music.

“We’re able to do this event for a fraction of the cost of most fundraisers because of the generosity of our vendors and artists,” she said. “Our costs were only 11% last year, and the average cost of a fundraiser is 25%.” Tickets are available online at www.brasonbroadway.com

In addition to the benefit, a variety of other fundraising events are being held around town during the month of October. A bra decorating party, an idea contributed by Lucy Black from 104.7 Popster FM, is slated for Tuesday, October 9th at the Civic Center. “It’s an all-age, gender neutral, come as you are party,” Stoker said. Participants may bring a bra to decorate or any bra to add to the chain, which will be assembled later by the organizers of the event. There is a $10 suggested donation. Glitter, sequins, feathers and other fun items will be provided, along with performances by Rosie Sauvageau and Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome. The mammogram mobile will be parked out front and area providers of mammograms will be there to set up future appointments. The goal is to have the highest annual % of women per capita checked.

Paul Evans will host, for the second time, an event featuring live music, burlesque and a silent auction at the Fargo VFW on Sunday, October 21. “Paul came to us last year with the idea after losing his mom to breast cancer. Local servers and bartenders volunteer. It’s another great way to spread the word, raise money and all come together to make a difference.”

Meg Spielman Peldo, artist/ photographer, and Dr. Shelby Terstriep, Sanford Oncologist, have put together a book of photographs and stories that will be released at Plains Art Museum on October 18. Proceeds go to local breast cancer patients.

Stoker was told by someone from our area that they saw a news clip of the Hotel Donaldson, decked out with the bra garland, while traveling in Spain. National news outlets have picked it up over the years as well. “Creating a spectacle can be a good thing,” she said.

To contribute or get involved, go to www.brasonbroadway.com. [AWM]