SUSAN SCHWARTZ, The Gazette (January 14, 2008)
Instead of receiving gifts for her 60th birthday, Susan Hertzberg decided she would give one: She organized a birthday party featuring entertainment, music and dancing - and raised more than $5,000 for Breast Cancer Action Montreal (BCAM).
She had planned a similar party for her 50th and it raised $3,500. Shortly afterward, she joined the BCAM board; today she is vice-president.
The money raised will help fund BCAM projects and the group's commitment to increase public awareness of how environmental and occupational factors can influence the development of cancer.
In talking about the party, held in late November and attended by about 70 people, it is Hertzberg's hope that others will emulate it and organize similar events with BCAM in mind, or other non-profit grass-roots organizations, she said.
Food, entertainment, support services, door prizes and silent auction items were all donated, including the venue, the Sala Rossa on St. Laurent Blvd. People gave generously, Hertzberg said. Cheese, fruits and crackers came from the Provigo on Monkland Ave., for instance, a birthday cake from the Loblaw store on St. Jacques St., coffee and urns from Santropol, and a case of dates from Marché Akhavan on Sherbrooke St. W.
Entertainment was provided by comedian Neil Janna, by writer and performer Catherine Kidd, a group of African musicians and dancers called Taafe Fanga, and Steve's Music Store, which provided tools for a djhemba jam — djhemba drums and shakers distributed to the audience.
There were door prizes, mainly from Monkland Ave. and Greene Ave. shops, and silent auction packages featured lodgings, attractions and entertainment at Stowe destinations.