The Five Points Association, thanks to the generous contribution of a Fender guitar from Pecknel Music Company, was able to raise over $500 through the sale of raffle tickets to contribute to the Mayor’s Council on Breast Cancer Awareness.

“The Five Points Association approached us with an idea and we were happy to help,” said Paul Morgan, manager of Pecknel Music Company. “We all try to do what we can to help out. We were happy to support our Five Points concert series.”

The raffle tickets were sold during October at Five Points After Five concerts with the guitar being presented to the winner during the intermission of the last show. “The council and I are grateful the Five Points Association took it upon themselves to help raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness,” said Columbia Mayor, Bob Coble. “Thanks to this contribution we will be able to extend our outreach and education efforts.”

Each year, the Mayor’s Council on Breast Cancer Awareness hosts a breakfast fundraiser at City Hall in early October to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month. This breakfast raises nearly $2,000 for use in producing educational materials on the importance of early detection and mammograms. The materials are distributed at expos, festivals, and health fairs. The contribution from raffle proceeds will go to help in this effort.

Kelley McLeod, a Five Points After Five regular and major supporter of local music won the guitar, which was signed by local celebrities and musicians from the series.

“I’m friends with a lot of the musicians who signed this guitar,” said McLeod who plays bass in a band and sings and plays guitar in his free time. “I’m really proud of our local bands, and I’m ready for one of them to make it nationally. That’s why winning this guitar means so much to me.”