Day of Hope takes place to help support Central Coast cancer patients
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The 13th Annual Day of Hope fundraiser was held Wednesday across several locations in Northern Santa Barbara County and South San Luis Obispo County.
Starting at 7 a.m., dozens of volunteer teams wearing bright orange vests were seen at numerous intersections, parking lots, and other gathering places to sell special edition $1 Santa Maria Times newspapers.
All of the proceeds brought in during the fundraiser will directly benefit patient services and programs at Mission Hope, which operates two centers – its flagship facility in Santa Maria, and in Arroyo Grande inside the Matthew Will Memorial Medical Center.
"We really appreciate everybody who comes by and donates for Day of Hope," said past Mission Hope patient James Stoddard, while selling papers for The Rotary Club of Santa Maria. "Those dollars go to work in our local community helping those who are battling cancer."
Since it was first held in 2014, the Day of Hope has raised over $3.1 million, including $473,000 last year.
"It means a lot," said cancer survivor Joan Miers, who was also selling papers for The Rotary Club. "It's very touching. It's actually very humbling how many people come out. They give money. It's amazing!"
Teams included volunteers who represented loved ones or friends fighting cancer, businesses, schools, organizations, government, and other various groups.
"It's awesome," said Phillip Solis with Team Fidelity at the intersection of Broadway and Betteravia Raod. "It's part of a huge community event. Unfortunately, we all know somebody that's been affected by cancer, either personally or through a friend or family member, so it's great to be out here representing the community, and kind of just helping out with that cause."
Most of the paper sales took place in Santa Maria and Orcutt, while other locations were in Lompoc, Guadalupe, Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Pismo Beach.
Dignity Health said this year, 12,000 newspapers were printed and sold throughout all the locations.
Donations to the 13th Annual Day of Hope can be made online through Sept. 18 by clicking here to access the official Day of Hope website.
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