SANDPOINT ­— Once again, the Sandpoint community went above and beyond to help those in need. But this time the giving didn’t stop within the confines of our community.

This year, the fourth annual Boobs ‘n Beer Fun Run and Oktoberfest put on by 7B Women was held on September 21. At the end of the day, the group had raised $60,000 to benefit two local nonprofits, Community Cancer Services and Celebrate Life, who do so much to help our friends, neighbors and families who are fighting the battle of their lives. 7B Women originally set a goal of $25,000, $5,000 more than last year’s event, but when word was received of matching funds being donated up to $30,000, 7B Women and the community rallied to reach the $30,000 goal, thereby being able to take advantage of the full $30,000 from the Terra Family Foundation, an organization from California with ties to the Sandpoint community.

“The Terra Family Foundation was established to provide funding to support nonprofit organizations benefiting children and families,” said Terra Family Foundation President Christine Weske. “We are proud to support 7B Women.”

7B Women’s board is made up of President Kim Diercks, Vice President Patty Hutchens, Treasurer Gina Hall, Secretary Lisa Moline and Alice Sloane, Jenn Markwardt, Sherri Lies, Jill Whitesel and Katie Campbell. Co-chairing the Boobs ‘n Beer Fun Run and Oktoberfest were Alice Sloane and Jenn Markwardt, who enlisted the help of fellow board members and countless volunteers for another amazing year. It was Jenn Markwardt who reached out to the Terra Foundation for support.

“The foundation specifically has a heart for organizations where the majority of the funds go directly to those who need it versus covering overhead/administrative costs. Supporting those fighting disease and illness is at the heart of their giving mission,” said Jenn. “Both Community Cancer Services and Celebrate Life do just that. They (the foundation) were impressed with the mission and vision of these organizations and the grassroots nature that helps affect change in a small community.”

This year, Matchwood Brewing Company co-sponsored and provided the venue for the event which included an afternoon of music, great food and beer, and a kids’ zone for the younger participants. Matchwood also donated $4,000 to the cause!

“I am continuously blown away by the support from our small community. From Matchwood Brewery, the businesses that sponsor this event and participants to our volunteers,” said Alice Sloane. “I am honored to be a part of 7B Women and Boobs ‘n Beer. I have always wanted to pass on my late grandmother’s legacy of philanthropy and have truly found my passion with 7B Women, Celebrate life and Community Cancer Services. I am also very grateful for my family and my company, Litehouse Foods, for supporting me to pursue my passion.”

Jenn Markwardt echoes the sentiments of her co-chair, saying that she is extremely moved by the generosity of time, resources and talents of this community.

“When we set out four years ago to create an event that supported local cancer services, we could never have dreamed what that event would look like today. Our goal is to provide funding to Community Cancer Services and Celebrate Life so they can continue the incredibly important role they play for those affected by cancer. As a board member of 7B Women, our organization is committed to giving back to our community in a big way. For me, being a co-chair of this event and a member of 7B Women provides me with the opportunity to honor the people in my life who have been lost to this disease and help provide comfort and resources for those currently dealing with it.”

Celebrate Life is a grassroots organization that was founded by Jenny Meyer, a Sandpoint woman who lost her battle to cancer in 2008 at the age of 34. Her sister, Julie Walkington, along with countless volunteers, have worked tirelessly over the past 15 years to raise over $300,000 to benefit individuals and their families in Bonner County affected by cancer.

“All funds stay in our community,” said Walkington, adding that all 10 of the committee members volunteer their time year-round to this organization.

The funds raised are used by Celebrate Life in a variety of ways, both unique and practical. “We provide vouchers for gas, groceries and even massages, manicures and pedicures. We have provided firewood, house cleaning, and airfare to a loved one to see their family member at a time when they need them most. Other ways we provide assistance include lodging, medical equipment, family dinners to restaurants, floral arrangements and video cameras to capture memories,” said Walkington, adding that the group also donates to local individual cancer benefits as well as helping to fulfill end-of-life requests.

“All of us at Celebrate Life are beyond grateful to the amazing ladies of 7B Women for putting on this incredible event as well as Matchwood Brewery and all the other sponsors and participants. This will help so many!”

In addition to Celebrate Life, Community Cancer Services (CCS) also received a $30,000 donation from the proceeds of the Fourth Annual Boobs ‘n Beer. Founded in 2003 by Heather Gibson, CCS is a place where those diagnosed with cancer can come for financial and emotional support. The nonprofit also provides support services for family members and caregivers of the patient by way of support groups. They too are unique in the way that they can use their funds since they are an independent organization.

In addition to grocery vouchers, gas vouchers, assistance with prescriptions and a lending library of information, there are many other ways the group provides assistance to those whose lives have been turned upside down due to a battle with cancer.

“We currently have a client who can’t speak so our office staff and volunteers are working with her to let people with whom she would regularly communicate be aware of her situation,” said Cindy Marx, the executive director for CCS and a cancer survivor herself. She adds that she has also helped clients who are buried in debt to set up payment plans with those to whom they owe money so they can have one less worry while they undergo treatment. “In so many ways, everything we do is unique.”

As a cancer survivor, Cindy knows firsthand the effects of a cancer diagnosis and how, even if “cured” can stick with one for many years. “You never stop wondering if every new ache or pain or lump is going to bring another round of battle with disease,” said Cindy. “People tell us every day with tears in their eyes that they can’t find the words to tell us how much our services mean to them. I’ve had people tell me they would have died from a very treatable form of cancer because they could not have afforded gas to get to treatment without our help.”

Having served over 1,200 clients since 2007 when the client data base was first established, one can see how important funds are and why Cindy says they were moved to tears with the funds received from this year’s Boobs ‘n Beer.

“It was an amazing gift,” said Cindy, adding her heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped work on the event, participated and bought beer! “And to this entire amazing community for all of the support we get year-round.”

And as long as there is a need, Cindy said CCS will continue doing what they can to assist those in need. “As long as our friends and neighbors continue to be diagnosed with cancer, we’ll do our best to ease the financial and emotional toll the diagnosis has on our community.”