Sweet support: Sawyer’s Shave Ice fundraiser to benefit Purple Iris Foundation

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - “A light in every room.”

That is how Jade Bonenfant remembers her mother, who passed away two years ago following a battle with bladder cancer. Bonenfant says her world came to an abrupt halt when she lost her mom, but she draws inspiration from how her mother handled her darkest days: always searching for the positive and smiling anyway.

Now, her coworkers at Sawyer’s Shave Ice are rallying by her side to turn that grief into meaningful community action.

Serving Up Sweet Support

On Sunday, Sept. 27, Sawyer’s Shave Ice is inviting the public to enjoy a sweet treat while giving back to a cause close to Bonenfant’s heart.

From 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the shop will give away free shave ice while collecting voluntary donations for the Purple Iris Foundation. The Maine-based organization works to raise cancer awareness and provide essential support to local families navigating a diagnosis.

The weekend event also serves as a rallying point ahead of the “Pound the Pavement 5K” on Oct. 4—a race Bonenfant holds close to her heart and is participating in this year.

‘People Want to Love One Another’

Amid the pain of loss, Bonenfant says the outpouring of compassion from her community has provided unexpected comfort and hope.

“She was a cheerleader for everybody,” Bonenfant said. “We love and we lose, but we keep on loving, and I just think that’s so beautiful. When we announced that we were doing this, the amount of support was baffling. I was not anticipating it at all, and it just reminded me of at its core, people want to love one another.”

Event Details & How to Help

• What: Free Shave Ice Fundraiser for the Purple Iris Foundation
• When: Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Where: Sawyer’s Shave Ice
• Upcoming Race: Pound the Pavement 5K on Sunday, Oct. 4

Community members who cannot attend Sunday’s event in person can still make an online donation to the Purple Iris Foundation or register for the upcoming Pound the Pavement 5K by following the links.