Spouses set up fundraiser for breast cancer awareness

By Spc. Dalinda Hanna, 41st Fires Bde. PAOMarch 23, 2011

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COPPERAS COVE, Texas- Tiffany Draves (left), and her daughter Bailey, look through household items during the "Boobie Brigade" yard sale fundraiser in Copperas Cove, Texas, March 18-19. The yard sale benefits the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure Foun...
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – COPPERAS COVE, Texas- Tiffany Draves (left), and her daughter Bailey, look through household items during the "Boobie Brigade" yard sale fundraiser in Copperas Cove, Texas, March 18-19. The yard sale benefits the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure Foun... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

COPPERAS COVE, Texas- Clothes, toys, dishware, and other accessories lined the tables as the "Boobie Brigade," made up of a team of Fort Hood spouses, held a yard sale to benefit the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure Foundation, March 18-19.

The women, spouses from Battery C, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, are scheduled to participate in a 60-mile walk in November and pledged to raise $2,300 each. The walk is a three-day event where cancer survivors and supporters walk to raise money for breast cancer research and support programs.

Samantha Cookman, of Miles City, Mont., a stay-at-home mother of two children, has wanted to participate in a walk for many years, and committed to raising $2,300 at the event registration.

"There is a lot of breast cancer in my family so it is near and dear to my heart," said Cookman. "I feel honored to be able to walk and am excited about being able to participate with like-minded people for a great cause.

Ruth Wheeler, from Copperas Cove, Texas, the family readiness group leader for the battery, made completing the walk a New Year's resolution and said that the support from the families around the brigade is tremendous.

"Samantha (Cookman) and I looked up information about the walk and decided to sign up," said Wheeler. "We have received a lot of donations and support from the families and we owe a lot to them for helping make this event successful."

The women of the "Boobie Brigade" said they couldn't do it without the continued support of their spouses, family, and friends.

Sgt. Jefferson Cookman, originally from Rosebud, Mont., said he supports his wife and tries to help as much as he can with the fundraisers.

"I am very proud of her for supporting such a great cause," said Cookman. "I help out by setting up and picking up donations. We had a lot of people come by and buy stuff, so the fundraiser is going well."

Completing the 60-mile walk will be difficult, but the women in the "Boobie Brigade" have the attitude to complete the mission successfully. The yard sale was a success and the first of many scheduled fundraising events.