Buddy Check: Leelanau La-Tea-Da

It's nearly the 4th of the month which means it's time to call your buddy as a reminder to do a self breast exam. it's also time for this month's Buddy Check Report.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and in some cases it really pays off.

The Leelanau La-Tea-Da is modeled after the very successful Antrim County High Tea for breast cancer research.

As the Leelanau event prepares for its second year, they are hoping to help even more cancer patients, one tea cup at a time.

Leelanau La-Tea-Da Volunteer Committee Member Bruce Polizotto says, "We felt there was a need to give a gift to the Leelanau community and we wanted to identify a need that was real."

With 18 uniquely decorated tables of fine china, silver and linen, a traditional British High Tea may not be very practical, but the Leelanau La-Tea-Da hopes a little elegance will go a long way to ease the very practical needs of their friends and neighbors fighting cancer.

He says, "It's in a sense an easy cause because it's so wide ranging and it's impacted so many people in such a negative way. To come up with some answers to the disease itself as well as the people who are experiencing the problems associated with treatment."

In its first year, the event raised more than $14,000 and this year they've raised even more that. It will help Leelanau County residents through the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation.

Desiree Worthington, the President of the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation says, "The foundation manages more than 40 funds, some are specifically to help families that are in financial need, through gas cards, treatments, in some cases utility bills."

The tea organizers say help comes in different forms, but there's something special about helping those in your own community.

Polizotto says, "It's very nice, very appropriate for government programs to be out there for people to draw upon but we thought it's so much more meaningful if we as local volunteers gave to a local cause for local people."

Worthington says, "We're inspired everyday by the generosity of the community members of our region the people of the La-Tea-Dah have a lot of enthusiasm and have a lot of passion helping their neighbors and we're honored to work with them."

While the Leelanau La-Tea-Da is sold out for this year, there are still ways you can help.

The Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation works with groups big and small and says if you have specific goals in mind for how you would like your fundraising dollars, they can work with you to get help to those in need.

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