Champlin's Three Rivers Business and Professional Women's group visited the Hope Chest in Navarre Wednesday, Aug. 3. The store sells donated designer furniture, accessories and clothing to raise money to help fight breast cancer.

The women's group meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Maple Bank in Champlin and is a networking group that promotes full participation, equity and economic self-sufficiency for working women statewide and nationally working for women's rights in the workplace.

Founder Barbara Hensley shared her mission for Hope Chest with the women's group, which she said, "is simple and clear, to completely eliminate breast cancer."

Until that happens, she has created an advocacy program to fund the research, early detection, treatment and hospice care of people living with breast cancer.

"Losing both my sisters to breast cancer devastated me," said Hensley.

During their combined six-year battles, she said she became painfully aware of the challenges faced by under-served women. Seeing women who are already struggling just to afford rent and food and are then faced with fighting breast cancer disturbed and angered me.

"So I did something. In 2001 I resigned my executive corporate position, acquired a second home loan and founded the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer," said Hensley.

She said the stores raise money through the sale of donated, very upscale furniture, accessories and designer clothing, utilizing a chain of retail stores across the U.S.

According to Hensley, these stores, along with fund-raising events, have netted more than $400,000 for breast cancer causes.

She said their 10-year vision is to expand to 50 stores nationwide and to generate $10 million to the foundation mission each year.

The Hope Chest for Breast cancer will celebrate its third anniversary with a three-day, larger-than-life shopping extravaganza, "Hope Has No Boundaries-Warehouse Shopping Extravaganza," Thursday, Nov. 17 through Saturday, Nov. 19 at the former Mervyn's store at the Eden Prairie Center.

The first evening of the event will include a black tie and blue jeans gala featuring a unique celebrity walking silent-auction, more than 12,000 gift items, artists displaying and selling magnificent and distinctive creations, live music, food and festivities.

According to Hensley, this three-day event raised nearly $100,000 last year with the blue jeans and black tie opening night event and two days of shopping for all the donated items.

Hensley is currently seeking sponsors for this three-day event, which hosts more than 2,000 people.

"The program serves those who have inadequate or no health insurance. Working together with a team of executives, we have nurtured a comprehensive plan that allows us to help us heal our world - ultimately unlocking the treasures of hope," said Hensley.

Another fund-raiser Hensley is planning is the first annual "Putt for the Pink," which is a Hope Chest for breast cancer charity golf classic Monday, Sept. 12, at Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, with a tee time at 1:30 p.m. Janel M. Gov, the Goff Investment Group and Piper Jaffray sponsor the event. To reserve tickets call Maria at 952-946-5790.

To contact Hensley write or visit the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, 3850 So. Shoreline Drive, Navarre, MN 55391 or call 612-331-5600 or visit www.hopechest.us.

To join the Three Rivers Business and Professional Women, call Bobbie at 612-327-4432.