September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and to acknowledge the month, Axe Republic in Williamsburg is having a fundraiser this Sunday.
But this isn’t just any fundraiser.
This fight is personal.
Nikki Montero, owner of Axe Republic, was a school nurse at D.J. Montague Elementary School where she got to know Oscar Hasham and his family.
Sadly, Oscar died in late June after a year-and-a-half-long battle with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG, a rare form of cancer.
He was just 10 years old.
“At the request of the Hasham family, for childhood cancer awareness, we chose to raise money for the Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation, and that goes toward the type of cancer Oscar had,” Montero said.
“Childhood cancer needs to be defeated, but we don’t have a lot of money being raised for it,” she added.
So how does raising money by throwing axes in the middle of a pandemic work?
“At Axe Republic, we have 12 lanes. Because of the pandemic, we’ve only been running six lanes. So what we’re going to do is, our first six lanes are going to be open for Oscar’s friends and family members,” Montero said.
The inside of the building will be decorated in gold, for Childhood Cancer Awareness, and orange, Oscar’s favorite color, complete with balloons and painted targets.
There will also be drinks and desserts served.
Axe Republic will also make an exception to their age minimum of 14 so Oscar’s friends from school can also participate.
Montero said all hands will be on staff to assist with the event. Staff “axeperts” will work one-on-one with participants to ensure safety both with the axe and pandemic guidelines.
Outdoor space will be used as well in case there is a waiting time to throw for the fundraiser.
There will be another three lanes open for reserved 75 minutes of throwing. Masks are required to enter Axe Republic, and staff will be enforcing social distancing policies.
Reservations for the standard axe-throwing time can be made online.
“Axe Republic is 100% dedicated to supporting this event and keeping everyone safe at the same time,” Montero said.
The event will be on Sept. 27 from noon to 6 p.m.
Reservations are not required for participants of the fundraiser, and the cost is $10 for 10 throws.
Participants can make additional donations during the event as well. All of the proceeds will go toward the Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation in memory of Oscar.
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