Members of the Hardin Clinic's Relay for Life team, clockwise from center, Dr. Carol Greimann, Cheryl Evans, Kim Caprata, Georgette Hogan, and Audrey Wiechman are part of the group that is raising money through a jewelry sale.
Relay for Life helps give cancer patients a new lease on life and now a fundraiser for the organization is giving jewelry a second showing.
"New To You" is being organized by staff at Hardin Clinic who make up a Relay for Life team. They have accepted donations of used jewelry that will be sold during the Hardin Area Chamber of Commerce's open house on Saturday at the depot.
Breast cancer survivor Cheryl Evans said she donated because she wanted to help others. Evans, who has been cancer-free for a year and a half, gave a matching necklace and earrings and a bracelet.
"I think this is a wonderful cause," she said.
Audrey Wiechman also gave.
"I have drawers full of it, why not?" she said. "It's a chance to get rid of it for a good cause."
The staff has hundreds of pieces of jewelry including faux pearl-drop earrings, a Black Hills gold and diamond watch, American Indian beaded key chains, a silver and a turquoise money clip and a belly dancer's jangling necklace.
Dr. Carolyn Greimann said the items will sell for anywhere from $1 to higher prices for more valuable pieces. A local jeweler has agreed to offer suggestions about pricing the pieces of higher quality.
"It might be a great place to get really good finds," Greimann said.
Greimann came up with the idea for the sale.
"I'm really into recycling and this is just another way," she said.
Hardin Clinic does fundraising year-round for Relay for Life. Team captain Alyssa Redden, a licensed practical nurse, said it helps to have so many people willing to help, including Hardin residents and business owners as well as Relay for Life volunteers. The group also holds a rummage sale in early summer.
Greimann said the community has been supportive of the New to You sale, with donations coming from many populations ranging from children in the 4-H Club to a 93-year-old. One of the most touching gifts came from a man who took off his necklace, the only jewelry he owns, Greimann said, and handed it over as a donation.
The Relay for Life volunteers have been cleaning and packaging the jewelry. They've also found creative ways to display it, including hanging necklaces from a laundry rack purchased at a second-hand store. Kim Caprata, a physician assistant at the clinic, is affixing pins and earrings to used cards. Caprata's humor comes through in some of the displays, such as a picture of a dog with huge earrings dangling from its ears.
Big Horn County Attorney Georgette Hogan was one of the major donors. Hogan admitted to being a jewelry fan and thought the sale was a good idea.
"What do you do with jewelry you don't wear anymore?" she said.
After looking through some of the sale items last week, it is likely that Hogan's donation only temporarily emptied out her jewelry boxes.
"I'm definitely going to be a customer, too," she said.
The clinic, a branch of St. Vincent Healthcare, hopes to raise $1,000 toward its Relay for Life contribution. Relay for Life, a function of the American Cancer Society, raises money for research and patient support.
Source: billingsgazette
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