Sometimes laughter, and a sense of creativity, can be the best medicine in a bad situation.
Such was the case Thursday afternoon at the Trigg County Senior Citizens Center in Cadiz, when 16 long-time patrons put forth intricately-designed bras drafted to embrace the bosom, while keeping “Breast Cancer Awareness” Month at the forefront of all minds.
Executive Director Cissy Lawrence noted this was a first-ever effort, and was meant to be an at-home opportunity to give seniors not only a sense of purpose, meaning and a grasp on current events, but also was to be a cognitively-engaging challenge.
All proceeds from this, Lawrence added, are headed to The Pink Ribbon Network — one of south west Kentucky’s pillar non-profits that supports in-need breast cancer patients and survivors.
Entrants had to pay $5 to display in the show, and in an act of generosity, many overpaid their fee, while other visitors simply donated more. After the winning design from Donna Stallons took home 25% of the entry gate, $150 is now headed to Ann Isom and her team.
Later Thursday afternoon, Lawrence confirmed an after-party design arrived from Junia Thomas. Herself a breast cancer survivor, Thomas created a bra shaped like two feathery, fuzzy lemons. Dangling from the cups were lemon ornaments, with the right saying “a yearly squeeze,” and the left saying “can save these.”
Thomas also donated $110 to The Pink Ribbon Network, bringing the total to $260.
Thanks to some inspiration and supplies from Jackie Lett, everything came together for this hit of an event.
Carmelia Barnett, 73 years old, spent several hours over the course of three days sewing tinsel, elastic, sequence and peacock feathers in a nice arrangement — showcasing something someone might wear at a cocktail party.
Rose Kole, meanwhile, also spent several hours on hers alongside family — adorning it with pink puff balls, lights, fringe and more.
Linda Oiler was able to get a bumper sticker from her son, Jimmy, that said “Save the Tatas,” and she glued that to her artwork — while Liz Torkelson, formerly of Long Island, New York, built a “stripper bra,” stuffing hers with dollar bills while adding snowflakes and bells for tassels.
In fact, Torkelson used to be the president of Long Island’s Junior League, where breast cancer awareness was once a lobby focus in Albany.
It’s possible, Lawrence said, this becomes an annual effort — and that auctioning off the bras, or maybe even a booby-related fashion show, could be the fundraiser’s next step.
The bras will be on display through Friday, during the Senior Center’s Halloween celebration.
