The eleventh annual Traci’s Hope BBQ is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 4 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Apalachin Firemen’s Field Days grounds. Traci Gibson (pictured) passed away Oct. 3, 2006. Traci’s Hope was her inspiration and money raised helps breast cancer patients with expenses outside of medical bills in Tioga and Broome Counties in N.Y. and Susquehanna and Bradford Counties in Pa. (Provided Photo)
Continuing Traci Gibson’s mission of helping others, the Traci’s Hope annual barbeque will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4. Traci’s family and friends invite the community to enjoy a delicious Smokey Legend BBQ, fun activities and raffles, great music and good company from noon to 6 p.m. at the Apalachin Firemen’s Field Day Grounds. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children aged six to 12.
The non-profit organization is pleased to have helped 465 people to date in Tioga and Broome Counties in N.Y. and Susquehanna and Bradford Counties in Pa., and has donated upwards of $332,000.
Traci’s Hope was designed to pay for expenses outside of medical bills, such as gas money to get to appointments, childcare, mortgage or utility bills, or house cleaning, to name just a few.
Traci Gibson was diagnosed with Stage 3b breast cancer at the age of 31 and lived with the disease for seven years. Traci’s Hope was her inspiration, a fund set up to help breast cancer patients lessen the burden of overwhelming expenses. Traci passed away on Oct. 3, 2006, and today family and friends carry on her mission.
A variety of activities are planned at the benefit, including the nail drive competition, inflatable bull ride, the popular ball drop game and even a chair massage. Activities for children include a bounce house and face painting, and the multiple raffles and merchandise tent are always a crowd favorite. Binghamton’s DJ TOBY will be playing a music mix from the 1950’s through today, and Bigg Wally is slated to MC the event.
The eighth annual motorcycle ride to Traci’s Hope will ride out of Hiawatha Motorcycle, Route 434 in Apalachin, N.Y. at 12:30 p.m., rain or shine. The cost for riders is $15 and passengers are $10, with ride registration starting at 10:30 a.m.
Pictured are motorcycles prior to the start of the 2013 Traci’s Hope motorcycle ride. Kickstands go up for the Saturday, Oct. 4 ride at 12:30 p.m. at Hiawatha Motorcycles, Route 434, in Apalachin, N.Y. Ride registration starts at 10:30 a.m. Contact Billie Jo Wheeland at (607) 761-7290 for information. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
A “Bike Record” was set in 2010, when 375 bikers raised more than $8,000 for Traci’s Hope. The ride will run as has been done in past years, with arrival back to the barbeque about 2:30 p.m. For additional information, contact Billie Jo Wheeland at (607) 761-7290.
Traci’s parents, Gordon and Mary Shiner, shared, “The riders are a huge part of the Traci’s Hope family. When they arrive back waving Traci’s Hope flags, the sound of the crowd cheering is truly amazing.”
Prior to her death, Traci Gibson had a vision that Traci’s Hope would become something big someday. At last year’s barbeque, Traci’s husband, Brian, commented, “Traci somehow knew that this would be a big event,” and he added, “Money raised goes right back into the community.”
Three notable Traci’s Hope upcoming events include the following.
OFA Athletics is going pink! The Owego Free Academy (OFA) Athletic Department is going pink during the week of Sept. 29 through Oct. 7 in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The week kicks off at the JV and Varsity volleyball games on Monday, Sept. 29 at 5:30 pm. in the OFA gym. One hundred percent of the profits from this “Go Pink” event will support Traci’s Hope. Basket and 50/50 raffles are planned. Nate Gibson, Traci’s son, is a sophomore student-athlete at OFA, and is helping continue his mother’s mission.
New this year for Traci’s Hope, “Brazieres for Hope”, will hold a separate event on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 6:30 p.m. at the Vestal Elks Lodge, 2071 Vestal Parkway West, Vestal, N.Y. The silent auction features gift baskets, a 50/50 raffle and one-of-a-kind bras made by creative “bra-artisans.” (Provided photo)
Braziere’s for Hope! “Brazieres for Hope” moves from the Traci’s Hope barbeque this year and is expanding efforts at a separate event scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 1 to 6:30 p.m. at the Vestal Elks Lodge, 2071 Vestal Parkway West, Vestal, N.Y. In addition to one-of-a-kind bras, the silent auction will feature custom gift baskets and a 50/50 raffle, all proceeds benefitting Traci’s Hope. Creative “bra-artisans” are needed, as well as volunteers to bake cupcakes or help at the event. Contact Teri Bower at (607) 625-2558 or email teribower@hotmail.com for more information.
Pink Light Night. The ninth annual “Pink Light Night” is scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Montrose Fire Hall in Montrose, Pa. The event features door prizes, a Chinese auction and refreshments, along with a one-mile fun walk and sky lantern release. Walk registration is $10, and sky lanterns are $5 each with all proceeds benefitting Traci’s Hope. Clothing items and sky lanterns must be pre-ordered. Email Stephanie Gow at pinklightnight@gmail.com for information. Find the event on Facebook or visit www.pinklightnight.weebly.com.
Donations are welcome for anyone unable to attend the events. For an event list, additional information or to seek assistance, visit the Traci’s Hope website at www.tracishope.com. You can also find Traci’s Hope on Facebook and Twitter.
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