Throughout October, the color pink is prevalent to celebrate breast cancer awareness month. Pink ribbons, pink balloons and even pink merchandise.
Recently, the Circle of Love held a day of celebration for breast cancer survivors and volunteers.
"We're honoring the deceased and the living," Director Josie Christopher said.
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OBSERVER Photo by Samantha McDonnell
Members of the Circle of Love pose with their heart mural that was constructed last week. Each heart was signed by an individual who has helped the Circle of Love over the years.
Members of the Circle of Love gathered at Christopher's home and then proceeded to a luncheon at Katerina's Restaurant in Dunkirk. Twelve women were in attendance for the celebration.
The afternoon started off at Christopher's home with a tour of her angel garden as well as constructing a Circle of Love heart mural. Everyone who has been a part of the Circle of Love previously has signed their name on a pink heart. These hearts were stuck around a logo saying 'Angels gather here.' The hearts were placed in a heart formation.
"There is unconditional love within the Circle of Love," Christopher said.
"It's a joy to be here," Christopher said while offering her own definition for joy - Jesus, others and you.
Also in attendance was James Milazzo. His mother, Theresa, was the one who helped inspire the Circle of Love and started the prayer shawl ministry. Circle of Love volunteers make prayer shawls that are then given to various individuals who are in need.
After the ceremony at Christopher's house, members traveled to Katrina's Restaurant on Lake Erie for lunch.
"It's a joy to be here," she said.
Christopher introduced everyone and welcomed them to the luncheon and celebration while offering her own definition for joy - Jesus, others and you.
After lunch, local singer Carmen Quinones of Dunkirk serenaded the guests with her voice. This celebration is held every year in conjunction with October and breast cancer awareness month. While most places choose to do fundraisers for breast cancer awareness, Christopher wanted to do something different. Since Christopher is a certified professional fitter for patients with breast cancer, she wanted to do something different and chose to hold a celebration in honor of the survivors and volunteers.
The Circle of Love is an organization that helps cancer patients out of Christopher's office on Central Avenue. Volunteers help to make comfort pillows, prayer shawls and turbans to be donated to those in need. The Circle of Love is sponsored by the Care Center. Volunteers are always gladly accepted and the Circle of Love is willing to take whatever volunteers are willing to donate.
"Whatever they have to offer is accepted," Christopher said.
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