Groovy people from across the Manhattan area got down for a cause the K-State Alumni Center for the 2019 Polyester Party Friday, April 5.
The party is a fundraiser for the Johnson Cancer Research Center and is entering its eighth year, founded and emceed by KMAN Program Director Dave Lewis in honor of his wife Elena who died of cancer in 2006. Tickets could be purchased for $60 or in packages and featured live music by Disco Dick and the Mirrorballs, food and drink and a bra art contest. The event is planned by a committee of local residents.
It goes without saying that most cancer benefits aren’t disco parties — which is what Johnson Cancer Research Center Interim Director Keith Chapes says keeps people coming back to the annual Polyester Party.
JCRC Communications and Outreach Coordinator Marcia Locke says the Party is the grooviest fundraiser around.
Locke says in addition to the fun it provides, the party is also important the Center as it draws funds that are vital to its operations.
Chapes says the event relies on the help of volunteers to be successful and that it typically draws in between $10,000 and $15,000 for the center every year.
The party has many regular guests and draws support from multiple businesses around the community, notably CivicPlus as well as Along Came Abby — whose owner Abby Wempe chairs the party’s planning committee. Wempe spoke with KMAN at the party about what keeps her involved every year as well.
JCRC Senior Aministrative Assistant Jean Bridges was helping part-goers check-in and tells KMAN what she enjoys about the Polyester Party.
