The community is gearing up for this year’s Shepard Cancer Foundation’s fundraisers: the sale of bows, raising awareness for cancer research; the Hope and Heroes Walk; and the culmination of the drive, the Tee It Up For a Cure golf tournament, all of which will raise money for cancer research and assistance for patients at the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center. Every dollar stays local and will benefit area residents that are affected by cancer diagnoses — another great reason to get involved.

Though much of the community pitches in to do a part, through participation or donations, there are those behind the scenes who devote countless volunteer hours — thousands of hours, based on an estimate by those heading the initiative — to make these events possible.

Several groups, their formation based on residential boundaries and neighborhoods, are hard at work, making bows for the fundraiser. Many of these groups have bow-making parties, social gatherings that make the creation of the bows a little less tedious.

And all the sales from the bows are total profit, thanks to Deborah Page Wright of the Blythe House, who donated cases of ribbon to the bow-making groups.

But the important thing for the community at large to keep in mind is this initiative is for a good cause — a very good cause. Many of those heading up the event will remind others that cancer has affected almost everyone’s lives, whether it’s a friend, family member or a personal experience. If one’s life hasn’t been affected by cancer, there is a chance that it could happen in the future. Regardless, all should have compassion for those that have been affected and join in the movement, to help friends, family and neighbors, right here, at home.

There are several ways to get involved: forming bow-making groups to make more bows to be sold; and by selling bows to businesses and residents.

In the words of bow-making extraordinaire Grace Gandt, who has helped many groups and individuals throughout the county learn how to make the bows, “It takes a village to do it.”