What is 2nd Saturday (with a Cause)?
2nd Saturday (with a Cause) was conceived in 1998 at The Secret Garden, a country gifts and collectibles shop in Fair Oaks Village. Motivated by the compassionate care his late wife, Sandi, had received at UC Davis Cancer Center, Jim Schwedler, the shop’s proprietor, decided to raffle an Amish quilt from the shop’s inventory and donate the funds to lymphoma research. Merchants, friends and family members donated additional raffle items as word of his plan spread throughout the small community. Approximately $1,600 was raised at the first event with guests enjoying modest snacks and liquid refreshments in the parking lot of the small business. “2nd Saturday” was the chosen date in order to coincide with the local art galleries being open to the public on that weekend of the month.
Inspired by the event's success, additional fundraisers have occurred each year, on the 2nd Saturday of September. Contributions to the raffle have grown, and a silent auction of art, wonderful gifts, trips and classic wines has been added. Live music was added in 2000 in the form of a Barbershop Quartet serenading appreciative guests. Since 2001, entertainment has been provided by Jim Glantz, vocalist and guitarist, with voluntary performances by others during breaks between sets. The name of the store has changed to Return to the Secret Garden, the food served has progressed to near gourmet hors d’oeuvres status, the number of volunteers and attendees has increased steadily, and the amounts raised have totaled over $80,000 since the event’s inception. All proceeds from the fundraiser are donated to the research fund of Dr. Joseph Tuscano at UC Davis Cancer Center.
We welcome your participation in this effort to support lymphoma research at UC Davis Cancer Center.
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