Alice from Stridin' and Survin' Talks Blanket Drive, Shop the Town Pink and Lights Camera Cure
EDWARDSVILLE - Stridin’ and Survivin’ will host their annual Shop the Town Pink Sip & Shop vendor fair to raise money for cancer research and patient support.
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From 1–4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at The Hall in Edwardsville, community members can shop a variety of vendors and enjoy hourly prizes and special drawings. The Knights of Columbus will serve barbecue, and guests 21 and older can check out a special pink lemonade cocktail. Alice Bartels with Stridin’ and Survivin’ highlighted the organization’s goal to help cancer patients.
“Our two main missions are to raise awareness and funding for cancer research, and then we also do patient services,” Bartels said.
Stridin’ and Survivin’ raises money to support patients at local cancer centers across the Riverbend and Metro East regions. They send care packages and lap blankets to patients who are receiving treatment at these centers.
Their Fuel the Cure program distributes gas cards to those in need. In 2025, the organization gave out 99 gas cards; so far in 2026, they’ve given over 200.
Bartels has been surprised by these numbers, but she understands this points to the rising need in the community. Stridin’ and Survivin’ aims to support these community members.
You can help in this mission by attending the Shop the Town Pink Sip & Shop on Oct. 4. There will be a wide variety of vendors and crafters, featuring candles, makeup, books, spices, t-shirts, cleaning products and more.
Admission and parking for the Sip & Shop are free. There will be hourly prize drawings. If you donate a new, clean lap blanket, you will also be entered for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card.
Vendors have donated items for next spring’s Stridin’ and Survivin’ silent auction. Shoppers will have a card on Oct. 4, and these vendors will mark the cards when a purchase is made at their booth. Shoppers will receive a raffle entry for every $10 spent for the chance to win two nice purses.
Bartels noted they are still looking for vendors to round out the experience on Oct. 4. If you would like to know more about being a vendor, email info@stridandsurviving.org. A table costs $25 and additional tables cost $20 each. Proceeds go to the Fuel the Cure program.
Bartels pointed out this is a tangible way to make an impact and support local cancer patients. She hopes to welcome many vendors and shoppers on Oct. 4 for a fun afternoon that helps those in need.
She added that Stridin’ and Survivin’ is always looking for more volunteers and people to get involved in their events, and she thanked those who have helped over the years.
“We have a great group of people that are our main volunteers, and we always could use more volunteers,” she said. “We have fun with it. You couldn’t keep doing it if you weren’t having some fun with it.”
For more information about Stridin’ and Survivin’, their upcoming fundraisers, or how to give or receive assistance, visit their official website.
This featured article is sponsored by Stridin' and Survivin'. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
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