With the onset of 2014, the Ladies of Port Richmond (LOPR) are gearing up for another successful year of fundraising to help find a cure for Breast Cancer.  But, a big question lays ahead for them to answer.  How much longer will long-time president and founder, Mary Louise Leuters, 78, be able to run this successful non-profit organization?

Leuters, who founded the LoPR in 2004 after successfully battling two bouts of breast cancer herself, is ready to step down but “she still really wants to help.”  For this fearless leader, it isn’t her will to lead and fundraise for the LoPR that is giving way, it’s her knees.  “If my knees were good,” Leuter lamented, “it would be a different story.”

The irony of it all is that now that her knees are acting up on her, it makes her complete participation in the annual 2-mile fundraising walk through Port Richmond difficult to fully invest herself in.  She just can’t do the walk; but, she doesn’t want the verve with which the walk began to end.  Rather, she wants it to grow.

From a fundraising perspective, Leuters isn’t ready to quit on the LoPR.  “We still need help,” Leuters noted.  “We could use help to get this walk larger.” She wants to get locals from Port Richmond, Fishtown, Bridesburg and beyond to help continue to find a cure for cancer.  Her knees are telling her that now is the right time for her to step down as president, but she also knows that a replacement hasn’t been identified yet.

The job of president of the Ladies of Port Richmond, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has grown into a full-time volunteer position, so Leuters’ replacement needs to think big and be really passionate.  “My replacement has got to be somebody who’s got heart,” Leuters noted.   “Because there is a lot to do.”

At this point, ten years in, the LOPR host an annual breakfast at Applebee’s on Castor Ave. in February, a flea market at Campbell Square on Allegheny in April, and a big homemade breakfast, which is cooked lovingly by the LOPR, just before their two mile Breast Cancer walk throughout Port Richmond, which occurs in May.  Additionally, they host brunch at the Sugarhouse Casino and bus trips to the Jersey casinos.  Bottom-line, the LOPR have made hundreds of thousands of dollars, nearly $400,000, which have gone to various local hospitals for breast cancer research, treatment and equipment.

One of LOPR baker’s, Jackie Olinger, 71, loves being a part of this organization.  “I am the baker,” Olinger proudly stated.   It was when Olinger, or Jackie O as she is referred, went to retire from 28 years of service in the mailroom at Jefferson Hospital that she found out that she had lung cancer.  “I was already a LOPR but research is research. It doesn’t matter what kind of cancer you have.”

Jefferson has subsequently become one of the major benefactors of the funds raised by LOPR.  Other area hospitals include Nazareth, Holy Redeemer, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.  Leuters is constantly receiving letters from doctors praising the good work of LOPR and letting them know the profound effect their raised funds is having on the progress of cancer research.

The fact of the matter is that the Ladies of Port Richmond need to continue doing what it is they are doing.  Community building is key for them.  With the help of local merchants and organizations, such as Ammon’s Family ShopRite, Stock’s Bakery, Port Richmond Pharmacy, Misnik’s Deli and Port Richmond Regional School, LOPR have been able to keep costs of events low and attendance at each growing.

This year, Nazareth Hospital will be giving money to fund T-shirts for the annual breast cancer walk.  This will be the first year that a sea of PINK will be seen on the streets of Port Richmond.  Leuters and Jackie O expect this to be a big year.  And, hopefully, a new leader will emerge to help keep the LOPR moving in the right direction.

For more information about Ladies of Port Richmond, please check out their website: http://ladiesofportrichmond.com or call Mary Louise Leuters at 215.427.3222.