A backyard in Newtown Borough was transformed into a traditional German-style beer garden Oct. 3, complete with long tables, checkered tablecloths, kegs of beer, German music and traditional foods for an Oktoberfest fundraiser benefiting pancreatic cancer research.
The annual event, “Oktoberfest — The Best of Times, The Wurst of Times,” supports A Love for Life, a Newtown-based nonprofit founded by Christine Edmonds after her husband, Kevin, died from pancreatic cancer in 2012.
“Kevin was 49 when diagnosed, he died at 51,” Edmonds said.
She established the organization in 2013 to fund research at the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center and help improve outcomes for other patients and families facing the disease. A Love for Life raises approximately $100,000 annually for pancreatic cancer research, and Edmonds said the organization is the leading donor to pancreatic cancer research at Penn.
“Our business model is that 100% of every dollar donated to our organization goes to pancreatic cancer research to a team at Penn down at the Abramson Center,” Edmonds said.
That commitment is important to donors, who receive confirmation directly from Penn when they purchase an Oktoberfest ticket. Edmonds said each ticket buyer receives an email thanking them for their donation to the Kevin Edmonds Pancreatic Cancer Fund at Penn.
She said that acknowledgment helps donors understand that their contributions are going to the intended cause rather than being divided among administrative costs, salaries and other expenses.
The annual Oktoberfest event typically draws 120 to 150 people. Edmonds said the fundraiser generally raises about $20,000, including additional contributions from guests and donations mailed in by people who cannot attend.
Donations of food, drinks and other supplies from local businesses and residents also help keep expenses down, allowing all of the proceeds to support research.
The idea for the Oktoberfest came from Newtown residents Randy and Nancy Scurlock, who saw their backyard as an ideal setting for a German-style celebration. The property, with its brick paths, greenery and decorative lights, sits next to Newtown United Methodist Church in Newtown Borough. The church and landscaped backyard help create a European feel for the outdoor gathering.
“Their backyard is just so beautiful, it’s a magical place,” Edmonds said.
The Scurlocks provide the setting, while Edmonds and her volunteers organize the fundraiser for A Love for Life. The event features beer garden tables and benches, checkered linen tablecloths, German beer and traditional foods, with German music playing throughout the evening. Some guests wear traditional German clothing, and each attendee receives a pint glass etched with “Love for Life” in German.
The menu includes bratwurst, German wieners, German potato salad, pretzels, cheeses, fresh bread and homemade desserts. Philadelphia-based Di Bruno Bros. has donated bratwurst, German wieners, cheeses and crackers since the event began. Mamie Colette, a Newtown bakery, contributed sourdough and multigrain bread, while TMK Produce supplied potatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms and other vegetables used for German potato salad, coleslaw and additional sides.
Two neighbors donated Philly Pretzel Factory pretzels, including heart-shaped versions that have become a favorite. Newtown Hardware House provided their famous chocolate chip cookies known around town, while neighbors contributed Austrian jam cookies and homemade apple walnut cake. Moore Brothers Wine Company donated wine, Newtown-based Second Sin Brewery supplied beer, and Clark’s Flower Shop provided flowers arranged in small brown porcelain mugs.
Other supporters included HARIBO and The Restaurant Store.
Preparing for the event takes a team effort. Edmonds estimates that 20 to 30 volunteers, many of whom are family, friends and neighbors, help during the week leading up to the Oktoberfest. The National Charity League Central Bucks Chapter in Doylestown sends teams of mothers and daughters to help set up, serve food and distribute desserts. Council Rock High School North students help transport the beer garden tables and benches.
The donations and volunteer support reflect the broader purpose of A Love for Life, whose mission is to celebrate life, friendship and adventure while raising money for pancreatic cancer research.
Kevin was active in Newtown, serving as treasurer of the Newtown Library Company and on the borough’s Historic Architectural Review Board. His office was near State and Green streets, and he had many friends throughout the borough. His sister, Nora, had also died from pancreatic cancer.
After Kevin’s death, friends and neighbors wanted to help the family support research into the disease. Their support helped inspire Edmonds to establish A Love for Life, turning personal loss into an ongoing effort to advance research.
The organization began with dragon boat fundraising events and later added an annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K, yoga festivals, art auctions and other gatherings. The Oktoberfest, now in its ninth year, has become one of its signature fundraisers.
Each November, Edmonds and representatives of A Love for Life meet with Dr. Benjamin Stanger, head of pancreatic cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center, to present the organization’s annual donation and hear updates on the research. Stanger and his wife, Elsa, attended this year’s Oktoberfest.
Edmonds said recent research updates have been more encouraging, citing advances in immunotherapy, engineered T-cell treatments and targeted drug therapies. Researchers at Penn also collaborate with institutions including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins University.
Edmonds said one promising drug therapy has doubled life expectancy in early clinical trials for patients with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, increasing it from about six months to approximately 13 months. Although the results do not represent a cure, she said they offer hope for further research and clinical trials.
For Edmonds, the Oktoberfest is about both advancing that research and bringing together the people who have supported her over the years.
“I love seeing my family, friends and neighbors come together for Oktoberfest,” she said. “I love how this event brings people together.”
She said the gathering offers people a chance to celebrate life in a small town such as Newtown and unite around an important cause.
A Love for Life will continue its fundraising efforts with a Jingle Mingle shopping party Nov. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Newtown Hardware House. The store will donate a portion of its sales to the nonprofit, along with the Newtown Book & Record Exchange and the Pro Shop of Newtown. Home Tonic also will contribute a portion of its sales to A Love for Life as part of its holiday shopping event.
On Nov. 15, Newtown resident Bridget Wittig will host her fourth annual Kickin’ for a Cause kickball birthday party at Helen Randle Park. Wittig, who is turning 14, raises money for pancreatic cancer research in memory of family members who died from the disease and in honor of an aunt who survived it.
For more information about A Love for Life, visit aloveforlife.us
