Copperas Cove Moose Lodge raises funds for PWA with Bras for a Cause

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

Men of the Copperas Cove Moose Lodge strutted their stuff in bedazzled and blinged-out bras on Saturday night.

The Copperas Cove Moose Lodge held a Bras for a Cause bra decorating contest and auction to raise money for the Pink Warrior Angels, a non-profit organization that helps affected by cancer. The event kicked off with an Italian dinner for $7 a plate followed up with the bra auction and certificate presentation starting at 7:30 p.m.

Volunteers decorated and donated the bras which came in a variety of themes including several patriotic bras, one with seashells, another with a skeletal theme complete with skeleton hands, sunflowers, and more.

Dara Wydler, event coordinator, said that raising money for cancer awareness and towards helping those affected by cancer is very important to her. Both Wydler’s mother and sister have been diagnosed with breast cancer. She also has other family members who have been diagnosed with various other types of cancer.

“Initially I was going to go with the American Cancer Society, but it was brought to my attention that we had a local group—Pink Warrior Angels—and that was even better because this is about community,” said Wydler.

Wydler said that she was inspired to hold her own Bras for a Cause event by an event she saw years ago at Dave’s Ice House where the men also were the ones to model the bras. She said that it had been a ton of fun. She admitted that this year’s event was smaller than she hoped but was certain that it would be bigger and better if they are able to hold it again next year. Still, they were able to raise hundreds of dollars with one bra selling for $50 and several selling for more than $40.

“It was great. I think it’s been fabulous,” said Wydler. “We definitely have plenty of men here that are secure in their manhood.”

The men were more than happy to wear the bras if it meant they could raise money for a good cause.

“It’s a great event. It’s for cancer awareness,” said Deriek Smith, president of the Moose Lodge, who volunteered to wear some of the bras for the auction. “It’s for a good cause and that’s what the Moose is about.”

“It’s great, I loved it,” said Michelle Nicolaus. Nicolaus and her husband purchased three of the bras that were auctioned off. “It’s going for a good cause.”

Nicolaus said that the Pink Warrior Angels really help the local community.

“It was a lot of fun and I hope they do it again next year,” said Nicolaus.

“This is a good cause,” said a generous gentleman who bought several bras and wished to remain anonymous. “Fighting cancer, no matter who it is, is a good cause. It’s one of the top killers in the United States and anything we can do to raise money to find a cure is worth it.”