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White Dove Cafe sponsors Leukemia Society benefit
By Michele Leung
Kathy Nobis is hoping that the community feeling that Glenites talk about is the real deal. Nobis and Jeff Michel, owner of the White Dove Cafe, are spearheading a Willow Glen Cares benefit dinner for the Leukemia Society on May 7, at the Garden Theater Plaza.
Nobis and Michel have recruited several Lincoln Avenue restaurants for the dinner. Besides the White Dove Cafe, Aqui's, Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza, The Glen, Cafe Primavera, Mio Vicino and Emperor's Garden will provide the menu. In addition, a five-piece jazz band will serenade the diners, and merchants will donate door prizes so participants will not leave empty-handed.
Event organizers are pleased with the support and participation of Willow Glen businesses. R.T. Peak Travel will give away a trip for two to Hawaii. The White Dove Cafe is pledging a dinner for four, and The Grapevine is donating a wine basket. Invitations have been extended to the city's leaders, including Mayor Ron Gonzales, Councilman Frank Fiscalini, his chief of staff Michelle McGurk and their spouses.
Nobis got the idea for the benefit when she and her husband, Garth, began training for the Leukemia Society Rock and Roll Marathon in January. They will run in San Diego on June 4. Nobis, whose goal was to enter a marathon before she turns 50, approached Michel with the idea of a benefit dinner, and he began to recruit other merchants immediately.
"Jeff's a good guy, and he has a big heart," says Nobis. "He saw the potential."
Tickets have been on sale since last month, and Michel and Nobis admit that they are nervous because tickets are selling slowly. The target size of their audience is at least two hundred locals, and they hope that the community is simply waiting for the last moment to purchase tickets.
"People are busy, and they need reminders," says the marathon runner.
Whatever the turnout is at this inaugural benefit, Michel promises that yearly dinners will follow, all to benefit various charities. "Even if we have a mediocre and decent turnout, we will still do it next year," he says.
"It's OK if people don't catch the vision the first time," says Nobis. "Am I going to be discouraged that it didn't work the first time? No. I don't give up easily."
Nobis is busy making sure everyone is aware of this fundraiser. She's been passing out fliers at the farmers' market, and views the walking it entails as extra training time for her. She's encouraged by what she sees.
"I've been seeing 'We Love Willow Glen' signs downtown," she says, hoping that the community really means that. "There is a sense of community here that other communities don't have."
The Nobises have never been personally touched by leukemia, but neighbors have submitted 20 names whom the couple will run for. Runners wear the names on hospital bracelets as they race. "I've heard of people who wear bracelets all the way to the elbow," says Nobis.
Organizers for Willow Glen Cares expect that their efforts will pay off and that the word will get out fast. But the greater reward for Nobis seems to be the greater picture. "This started out as wanting to run," she says. "Now this is wanting to help people."
Tickets are $50. To purchase them, visit the White Dove Cafe, or call 280.5297.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
