For the past 10 years, Plaza Bella in Valrico has held an Annual Plaza Bella Goes Pink Walk For The Cure. This year, Plaza Bella is joining forces with the Campo Family YMCA in Valrico to host Pepper’s Walk. As in the past, 100 percent of the proceeds from the walk will be donated to organizations dedicated to dealing with cancer related issues.
Pepper’s Walk will be held on Saturday, October 20 at 9 a.m. registration begins at 8 a.m. The walk will begin at the Campo Family YMCA located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico. Walkers will travel to the Green Boutique located at 1032 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico and back to the Campo Family YMCA.
Pre-registration is available now through October 8. Cost to register is $20. Children 15 years old and younger are free. For those who pre-register, you get a t-shirt and swag bag both of which are provided by the Green Boutique. For those who register after October 8, you get a swag bag only. You can register online at www.tampaymca.org/campo-peppers-walk.
In addition to the t-shirts and swag bags, the Green Boutique will provide gifts to survivors of cancer. They will also have pink bows that can be purchased to honor a loved one who has lost the fight with cancer.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from Pepper’s Walk will be donated to charities. The donations will benefit the YMCA’s Livestrong Program, the YMCA’s Pediatric Cancer Survivor Program, the American Cancer Society and The Outreach Clinic.
Pepper McGowan, for whom the walk is named, was a long-time member of the Y and a valued customer at the Green Boutique. She was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 20 years ago. She was a two-time breast cancer survivor and then was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. She never smoked. She was an active participant in the Plaza Bella Goes Pink Walks.
Roz Creager, owner of Plaza Bella and the Green Boutique said, “We will also have raffle baskets at our store. These will be on display for two weeks prior to the walk. The winner’s name will be drawn after the walk.”
Kavita Marballi with the Campo Family YMCA said, “Pepper was diagnosed more than 20 years ago. During her long treatments, she made many friends. We wish to honor her memory with this walk.”
For more information about Pepper’s Walk, contact Marballi at kmarballi@tampaymca.org.
