Emily Wainwright, of Windham, is the lead organizer of the upcoming first-annual Cheers to a Cure beer and wine tasting in Windham, which will also feature raffles and a barbecue.

The proceeds of the fundraiser, which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 1-4 p.m. in the parking lot in front of 4B Commons Ave., located off Route 302 in North Windham, will benefit the American Cancer Society. Tickets are $20 and $10 per tailgate buffet.

Wainwright, who works for Metayer Family Eyecare and sits on the board of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, spoke with the Lakes Region Weekly about what the first “Cheers to a Cure” will be like and why she is driven to organize charitable fundraisers, in general.

Q: What will Cheers to a Cure be like?

A: Cheers to a Cure will be fun, light and great way to honor people fighting cancer. We’re planning on not only a beer and wine tasting for the main event, but a tailgate-like barbecue, as well as a juice tasting for the kids. Our hope is that we will attract a group of people who really want to help out the cause, but haven’t found a great way to do that yet.

Q: Why not hold a Relay for Life walk, similar to the events held for the past seven years in Windham?

A: While walks like Relay For Life, runs like the Dempsey Challenge, and obstacles like Tri For a Cure and Tough Mudder are all incredible fundraisers and events for the athletic crowd, my co-chair Brian Casalinova and I decided that we needed to do something for the “everyday” person. This event is designed to offer something fun for everyone, with the ability to raise money for a great cause and relax with wonderful people in the process.

Q: How did you get involved in the effort to fight cancer?

A: I got involved with the American Cancer Society three years ago via Relay For Life of the Sebago Lakes Region. With the decision to move the event into Gray this year, Brian and I really wanted to get something going to keep ACS fundraising in Windham. After a lot of ideas and cheeseburgers, we landed on the family-friendly beer and wine tasting.

Q: What will the money raised at this year’s event go toward?

A: The money raised will all benefit the American Cancer Society. This national facility is responsible for more than 100 years of research in the oncology field, including such simple and daily preventive tests like the pap smear. They also offer programs like the Look Good Feel Better workshop, which offers wigs and other necessities to assist in the physical toll treatment takes on a patient, the 24-hour hotline available to cancer patients and their families to answer any questions and point them in a good direction, and the Road to Recovery, which assists in rides to and from treatment for patients.

Q: You are also planning a blood drive and a hunger walk later this year. Can you describe those events and why you are so driven to help organize them?

A: Feet For Food is a walk hosted by the Sebago Lakes Region Rotary Club, taking place Sunday, Sept. 20. It is a only a mile, designed to walk a mile in the shoes of someone who is hungry. And all proceeds benefit the local food pantries. Cyndy Bell (advertising sales representative for the Lakes Region Weekly) started this last year, and I had to hop on board – her enthusiasm and desire are inspiring. Both our website (www.feetforfood.org) and our Facebook page are a work in progress, but we hope to have them both up and running in full within a couple of weeks.

The blood drive is for Col. Stuart Toby Pennels. This will be the third memorial blood drive in his honor and I am working closely with his wife, Brenda, to make not only the drive a success, but also to have a combination celebration of his life. He passed last September, and his philanthropist legacy left a lasting impression on me, as well as our little community. I’m just glad I am able to work alongside of his wife and friends to keep his honor alive. For more information, the Facebook page Toby’s Dream is where a lot of the information, etc., is getting posted.

Q: Will there be a “Cheers to a Cure” event next year? If so, do you plan to organize it?

A: Absolutely, to both!

Q: Why do you think it’s important that Windham holds events to fight cancer?

A: I think it’s important for every town/community to be educated on cancer, the causes, the treatments, and the many ways we can fight. Windham is a special little place. I love working and living here, and I want to make sure all of “my” people are happy, healthy and ready to take on anything, including fighting cancer to the end with a passion.

Emily Wainwright