May fundraisers bring in thousands of dollars for TBBCF

By Melissa Johnson

Dessert and new clothes were the temptations behind May fundraising events for TBBCF. Anyone who had ice cream at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold on May 8 or bought clothes or jewelry at J.McLaughlin in Watch Hill on May 13 helped fund breast cancer research by treating themselves or someone they love.

Buttonwood Farm has hosted Sundaes for Mother’s Day annually since 2007. TBBCF board members took turns staffing a table by the ice cream window between noon and 8 p.m.

Amy Caster, the foundation’s development and outreach director, said, “It was a very successful event. The long line continued past their closing time, and most people seemed to be ordering sundaes. In talking with people as they waited in the long line, it seems that many were there because they knew about our fundraiser. They specifically attended to support TBBCF!”

Foundation Co-founder Sandy Maniscalco said, “The best part was some of our supporters came, such as walkers Stacey Brodeur and Toby Ladd. Lisa from Lis Bake Shop, an event sponsor who is walking this year, came, as did the Roches—Heather, Maggie Mae, Ian and Leo, a sponsor from Black Sheep in Niantic.”

“Mother’s Day, to me, is not about fancy brunches or gifts,” Heather Roche of Mystic said. “Mother’s Day is about being with those who gave me the honor—and if I can eat an ice cream sundae to benefit an amazing foundation, then it’s a win-win.” Her kids, Maggie May and Ian, are 20 and 19, respectively.

Despite wind and temperatures in the 50s, a long line of ice cream lovers gave $272.45 in table donations and $2,612 in proceeds from sundae sales. Buttonwood Farm kicked in enough to total an even $3,000.

Owner Kim Buttonwood said, “It was a pretty good turnout! Getting back to pre-pandemic times.”

The following Friday, J.McLaughlin in Watch Hill, R.I., hosted Sip, Shop and Celebrate Spring, during which 15% of the proceeds from sales made at the store or over the phone between 1 and 5 p.m., totaling $480.12, were donated to TBBCF.

Walk Chair Stacy Tattar helped host the event along with Caster, who pulled double duty after helping at Buttonwood earlier that week. Tattar said, “Kind of a mellow day in Watch Hill, but it was nice to greet shoppers and spend time with Tracey Kennedy, the store manager.”

To learn more about TBBCF fundraiser events throughout the year, visit https://tbbcf.org/.