VIENNA — For the past six Sundays, a group from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish has gathered at the township center for the evening concert series selling cakes, brownies and other baked goods, with proceeds benefiting the Hope Center for Cancer Care in Howland.

Vicki Graora of Vienna said she and others formed “Operation Hope,” which started from the Relay For Life group at St. Thomas the Apostle. She said after the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Relay For Life was changed and the members wanted to focus more on local cancer patients.

“We support cancer patients and donate what we make each Sunday from the sales to the Hope Center. We talked about where to donate. We do this locally, and this is the second year we have done this,” Graora said.

Dee Barrick, a member of the group, said members of the Knights of Columbus also help by making popcorn and sno-cones to sell.

Graora said the group meets at the church a few hours before the concert begins to package the food items and then sells them inside a tent near the gazebo.

A large crowd gathered at the center on Sunday, where the musical group Good Question played inside the gazebo.

“We have had cancer patients and their family members come to the concerts. We have people who will come up to us and tell us of family members battling cancer and thank us for what we are doing by making donations,” Graora said.

Last summer, the group donated $1,200 to the cancer center and expects to double that amount this summer.

Barrick said there is no one whose life has not been touched by cancer through family, friends or someone else they know.

“People like it when we tell them the money raised will stay here,” she said.

Roseann Everett, one of the event organizers and group treasurer, said the concerts are a great place to see and speak to so many people who show they care with their purchases.

Everett said the cancer center has a hope chest where donations are placed and a decision made on how the funds will be used.

She said area businesses also helped by donating food items.

The Vienna Presbyterian Church also has its members selling hot dogs and pop to help the church, which is located next to the gazebo.

Members have been hosting fundraisers for the past five summers.