By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is fast approaching, and groups across Shelby County are busy making preparations.

Calera, for instance, raised more than $25,000 for breast cancer research last year, and the city is at it again with a city-wide fundraising effort involving local businesses.

Starting Oct. 1, about 35-40 businesses in the Calera area will offer patrons the opportunity to donate a dollar for a chance to win 35-40 door prizes, each donated by the participating businesses, said Kate Kiefer, associate marketing director for the Breast Cancer Foundation of Alabama.

Each door prize has a minimum retail value of $25, and all entries earn patrons the opportunity to win all door prizes, not just those donated by the business where the ticket is bought. A list of donated items will be available at each participating business, and the drawing will be held Nov. 1.

Several businesses will also sell pink paper ribbons for $1 in honor or memory of someone, Kiefer said. Ribbons will be taped up in storefront windows.

“We are trying to make everything a dollar so it’s affordable, but everything adds up,” Kiefer said. Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation of Alabama and will be used by UAB for breast cancer research.

Breast cancer survivors will also be honored at the Oct. 18 football game between Calera and Oak Grove, where everything will be decorated pink. Kiefer said businesses have donated pink cups, pink pom-poms, pink megaphones and other items so far, and breast cancer survivors will walk on the field and release pink balloons during the game.

Any breast cancer survivor interested in participating should contact Connie Payton at Calera City Hall by calling 205-668-3803.

On Oct. 20, Timberline Golf Club will host a charity golf tournament for teams of four. Registration is $100 per person until Sept. 22 and $125 per person after Sept. 23, with registration ending Oct. 14. Anyone interested in participating should contact Joe Kruse at 205-668-7888 or jkruse@timberlinegc.com.

“The best part about this is the way that this community has come together to support this cause,” Kiefer said. “It’s been a total community effort … involving all of the businesses and all of the schools.”

Other area events

-The City of Calera is selling T-shirts for $12 to raise money for breast cancer research. T-shirts can be ordered at City Hall, all Calera public schools and the Calera Chamber of Commerce.

-Shelby County High School will host its own “pink” football game this year against Chelsea Nov. 1, and both schools will begin selling T-shirts Oct. 1.