I'm not sure if I ever mentioned it before, but my husband Glenn and I volunteer with a wonderful organization called Casting for Recovery. Founded in 1996, this group takes women in all stages of breast cancer treatment and recovery on fly fishing retreats at no cost to the participant. We called the ladies "participants" because they are an active role in the weekend. The ladies learn about the equipment, fly casting, knots and entomology. They also share experiences about their treatment, laugh, cry and bond.

I can't tell you how much we get out of volunteering with this wonderful organization. My mother in law and Godmother both had breast cancer and when we work with these special ladies we always think how we would've loved to have had them attend a retreat when they were alive. One of my best friends was a past participant and these ladies touch my life in ways I can't even express. It is an honor to be a part of this organization. Since 1996, Casting for Recovery has served 3,500 women at 224 retreats with the help of over 1,000 volunteers nationwide.

Why am I telling you all this? Each retreat planning team needs to do fundraising to cover the costs associated with each retreat. The teams can get pretty creative in order to raise the necessary funds. For example I am allowed to do a "Go Fish" day at work where employees are allowed to wear jeans to the office when they make a $5 donation to Casting for Recovery of Northern New Jersey. Well, the Western Pennsylvania planning team has organized a wonderful Wearable Art Show which includes a luncheon and silent auction. This will take place on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the Four Points Sheraton in Mars, PA. This wonderful show will feature fashions by local fiber artists. All proceeds will benefit the retreat help at Nemacolin Woodlands in September 2009.

For more information on this great event, email CFRWPA@comcast.com. For more information about Casting for Recovery, check out: www.castingforrecovery.org.