Music for Moms raises funds for cancer network

THOMPSON FALLS – Three important aspects came together at the Rex Theater on Saturday, May 10 creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Music, a love for mothers and the urge to help in the fight against cancer intermingled at the annual Music for Moms event.

Hosted by the Cancer Network of Sanders County, the event acted as a fundraiser, while providing families with a  Mother’s Day treat.

This year, four musical groups came together to make the event possible. High Strung, Uku-Ladies, Accounted For and Sons of Biscuits donated their time to help raise money for a cause near and dear to many of the attendant’s hearts.

“We want you to know…that the cancer network literally touches all of us and our family and our friends,” said Master of Ceremonies, Dave Oliver, to the crowd. “Tonight’s a great opportunity to spread the wealth a little bit….Whatever you can help us out with goes directly to the cancer network and stays in Sanders County and helps  us out, all of us, when we need a helping hand.” 

CNSC has been in operation since January 1, 2001 and has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars since then.

During one of the breaks, CNSC President Kathy Miller, educated the crowd on exactly how many gifts the network has handed out.

“I always enjoy this part because I get to tell you how much money you’ve given us and I get to tell you how much we’ve given back to you,” Miller said. “That’s always an exciting thing.” 

To date for this year, before the Music for Moms event, the CNSC had already given 27 gifts for a total of $16,200. Since the last Music for Moms event, 66 gifts and $39,800 was handed out.

The cancer network is 41 gifts shy of $250,000 and since the beginning has given 641 gifts with a total of $225,250.

Because of the recent success, the cancer network was able to raise the amount given as a gift to $600.

“That’s annually, that’s no strings attached,” Miller said. “That’s $600 from your neighbors saying here, have some help.”

Although the event aimed at getting to the heart of a serious disease, it was lighthearted and full of jokes. Oliver kept the crowd thoroughly entertained with his barrage of jokes and funny comments. The talent did not disappoint either as the Rex Theater was filled with music ranging from just about any style one could think of.

From country music, to violins playing tango and a group singing gospel music, the event had it all.

“We have some marvelous local talent,” Miller said. “I’m always amazed at how good people are in this community.”

In all, $912 was raised for the cancer network at the event, and that’s before the second round of donations hit the basket on the way out the door.

The event ended with a massive tribute to all the mothers in the room. Oliver read off a list of IOUs kids may have for their mothers.

“Mom, I owe you for many things. A lot of service - the night watchman for instance. For lying awake nights listening for coughs, cries and creaking floorboards and for me coming in too late,” Oliver began. 

The list continued on, thanking mothers for their services as body guards from thunderstorms and nightmares, to the ample amount of medical knowledge mothers’ possess. Once the list was complete, Oliver struck home with a  final note.

“The person I owe to worked very cheap. She managed by simply doing without a whole lot of things that she needed herself,” Oliver read. “IOUs add up to much more than I could ever hope to repay, but you know, the nicest thing about this all, is that I know she would mark the entire bill paid in full for just one kiss and four little words; I love you, mom.”

As the crowd erupted in agreement, the Sons of Biscuits sent them off with a revered cowboy song, Happy Trails, ending yet another successful Music for Moms event.