A breakfast well worth waiting for
Sheree Wagener had been wanting to host a Pink Ribbon breakfast, on behalf of the Breast Cancer Foundation, for three years. Originally it was to have been a small do, at her home, but when it finally happened it was on a much grander scale, at Pukenui’s Raio Hall.
The function raised $2400, but there was much more to it than just a breakfast.
“Our group of friends, the Wild Sisters, sold 100 tickets for $15 each. We had two chefs cooking breakfast and also a table with ready-to-eat food, mocktails, a tea table, OvenBird coffee from Whangarei, a live chalk mural created by Stormforce, shopping stalls, Mercy Clothing from Whangarei, Koanga Jewellery Design, Lu Morz Florist, Mangatete Potteries and a Scentsy stall,” she said.
“The women were given a ‘Yum Cha’style food card so no money needed to be exchanged until they left at the end of the day.”
Sponsors donated products or money so generously that everyone went home with a spot prize, while raffles and a Pink Ribbon table displaying art, crafts and pottery specially made for the day added to the cause.
Two guest speakers gave very personal presentations about the “cancer journey,” a story that Sheree said everyone needed to hear and appreciated for its honesty and emotion.
Meanwhile Sheree had abandoned her plans to host a breakfast at her home some time ago.
“When the time came around again I knew I had to get this done, so I asked my friends if we could do this together, and do it big,” she said.
“We spent six weeks creating decorations and organising sponsors, making sure every detail was perfect and that the day could run effortlessly with no stress.
“We decorated the hall with recycled fabric bunting, wall hangings, sticks and shells, a huge paper flower installation, lanterns, giant wands, Indian fabrics and flowers. Everything was either natural or recycled, something our group is really passionate about.
For the Wild Sisters the party was an expression of how much we believe in the power of women. There is nothing more special to us than women coming together and gaining confidence and light from each other. We have had this kind of party before, but just for ourselves.
This was a chance to take this kind of energy to the community for a good cause, and the result was so successful. The women who attended had the best time, and went away feeling different. some I talked to were even elated, they had certainly picked up on the energy in that hall.
“Everybody left with new treasures, was well fed and educated, and blessed with the presence of each other.”
No thought had been given to doing it again, but the function would be repeated, by popular demand. First though there was another Winter Illuminate Fire Party to be organised.
“To all the women who attended, all the sponsors who gave and all the sisters who helped make this happen, we thank you for being part of a truly beautiful day,” she said.