Neepawa continues to support Lindylou

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Published on Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Several fundraisers move forward to assist cancer patient

Over 50 people took part in the Flowers of Hope fundraiser at Knox Presbyterian Church in Neepawa on Sunday, Sept. 15. 

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

Support continues to pour in for Lindylou Escabarte, who is currently facing a battle with breast cancer. Escabarte, who is originally from the Philippines, has been dealing with the cancer diagnosis without many of her immediate family by her side, as mother and children still reside in their home country. Upon hearing about her situation, several local individuals and organizations have banded together to assist her.

Flowers for Hope

One of the most recent fundraising events that were held occurred at Knox Presbyterian Church in Neepawa. Flowers for Hope: An afternoon of painting was held on Sunday, Sept. 16. It involved participants learning the basic skills of painting on a canvas. In total, all 55 available tickets to the workshop were sold in advance, bringing in $1,100. An additional $100 was also brought in from cash donations. 

Sharon Soroka, event coordinator said the amount of involvement from the event was better than they could have hoped for.

“To sell out the event like this, it’s simply tremendous. People were asking about how they could help and these offers of support for Lindylou have been not only from our community but from people in Brandon, in Rapid City,” Soroka said. “Lindylou is such a wonderful person with a strong faith. She’s always looking out for others and just so positive. It’s easy to see why so many are willing to do whatever they can to support her.”

More support from the business sector

Local businesses also stepped up and offered their support. It’s Time Fashion & Gifts donated a $200 gift basket of items as a fundraising opportunity. It’s Time owner and operator Ineke Mack said it was a great success, as $1,088 was brought in for donations. 

“Anyone who donated some money, no matter the amount, was put into the draw. People were so generous with their donations, it was awesome,” Mack said. “We had Lindylou pull the winning name on Monday, Sept. 17. She drew the name Sharon McCreath, so [Sharon] won the gift basket.”

As part of the It’s Time gift basket, Whitey’s Fitness and Body Shop donated a $75 gift certificate. That goes along with their own fundraising effort they held on Monday, Sept. 3, which raised $1,104.

Support from DQ

Dairy Queen in Neepawa also added to the effort by contributing 50 percent of their overall sales from Friday, Sept. 14 between 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Pam Brown, owner and operator of DQ said that $3,010 was raised in that short period of time. She noted the amount of support was incredible. 

“It was so much busier than I had expected it to be, but that really just affirms the type of people who call Neepawa home. When someone is in need, the people just step up and do what it takes to help,” stated Brown.