The Mt. Lebanon Junior Women’s Club (MLJWC) has given to many worthy charities over the years, but this year’s beneficiary has special meaning, since its target audience includes the club’s members. The Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation is the club’s 2012 official charity, which means an important message will get out to the very group of women who can benefit from its services.

“One of our goals is to do more with the charity than just hand them a check at the end of the year,” says Lisa Sweeney, MLJWC public relations chair. The members have already volunteered at one of the Breast Cancer Awarness Foundation’s events, with more to come. The foundation also has arranged for speakers to talk with the members about breast health and early detection.

The club will have its annual gala to benefit the charity on Saturday, March 3, at the Fairmont, downtown, at 7:30 p.m. The theme, “Toast for a Cure,” has a focus on wine.

Event chair Jamie Hall says the $85 ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres, wine, two drink tickets and entertainment by Rick Purcell. The evening, which will be emceed by Andrew Stockey, will also include silent auctions and luxury raffle baskets. Tickets can be purchased online at www.MLJWC.com.

Sweeney reports the club has 100 members from all over the South Hills, with a lifetime giving record of more than a half million dollars. One of its goals is to continue some of the good work that was begun by the recently disbanded Woman’s Club of Mt. Lebanon.  “We’ve really tried to shift the focus to ‘good works and good friends,’” Sweeney says.

Below: Mt. Lebanon Junior Women’s Club’s March 3 gala benefits The Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. From left are Jennifer Kehm, co-founder of the foundation; Caroline Lascek, MLJWC president; Ashley Pennington MLJWC gala co-chair; and Lisa Edmonds, foundation co-founder.