Driving though the Flagler Executive Airport’s complex over the past month, you may have noticed something different – a beautiful field of pink pinwheels spinning in the breeze. If not, today’s the day to stop in and see what it’s all about, as Sunday closes out Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Making It Happen
Hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ is life changing.
High Jackers restaurant wait staff Mo Noble’s sister Sandy Cook learned she had breast cancer nearly two decades ago, but it was a moment the two women have never forgotten.
Supporting annual fundraisers to battle breast cancer, Noble wanted to continue supporting a cause that hits so close to home for her, and asked the team at High Jackers Restaurant if they’d be open to creating a local fundraiser.
“I always donated $50 or $100, whatever I could afford because my sister is a survivor of breast cancer,” said Noble.
Offering their support, Noble, with the help of her family, created the Pink Positive garden for the month of October in honor of her sister, a 17-year breast cancer survivor and others who’ve battled the deadly disease.
“This year because of COVID I asked if we were doing anything this year and they couldn’t, so I said, what if I took my $100 and bought 100 pinwheels, and we could ask for a $5 donation for each. They’re very supportive, so (general manager) Lisa Setien jumps in, goes and buys flamingos and signs for it and it turned into an impromptu breast cancer fundraiser,” shared Noble excitedly.
A fun, pink airplane overlooks the pink garden, created by Noble’s son-in-law Thomas Menendez at a birthday party.
“He said you draw it, and I’ll cut it,” she said, later enlisting the help of her grandkids and neighbors to paint the constructed airplane in line with the restaurant’s longstanding tag line – “Save the Twins”.
“He cut it out, we painted it. ‘Save the Twins’ has been the motto of High Jackers for all the years they’ve been here for the airplanes, and now for breast cancer.”
Family – Not Just Related by Blood
The history between Noble and High Jackers goes back. Way back.
Noble was one of the first employees hired by manager Lisa Setien when they opened 20 years ago, and being part of Palm Coast Data’s downsizing after 19 years with the company, was rehired by Lisa’s daughter Amaya Setien in the summer of 2021.
Returning to High Jackers has been like coming home to family. Noble recalls watching Amaya doing homework in the restaurant as a little girl many years ago, and that warm, family atmosphere still exists today.
“We’re very family-oriented. It’s the biggest thing. The community means a lot to us in Flagler County,” said Amaya, who was happy to welcome Mo back to the High Jackers family.
“I grew up here my whole life. My mom’s always been involved with the community and charity and she looks at everybody like you’re her family. She’s always there to help and solve and be there for anybody, in house with staff or out it the community. She’s got a big heart,” she said.
A willingness to go above and beyond was not lost on Noble.
“I have to say that Lisa and the owners of this place, to let me go ahead and set up, even to suggest this, and spend money they didn’t even really have to go and help me on this mission, and everybody get involved is really amazing. It’s a great place to work. They spend more time giving back than any company I’ve ever worked for,” said Noble.
Driving up each day to work, Noble is reminded of her sister’s journey to recovery and how support from the community can make an impact on a person’s life going through a cancer diagnosis.
“It’s cool. It’s just an impressive, overwhelming moment and the one pinwheel that’s in the flower garden, that’s my sister’s. It has her name on it, she’s my survivor,” shared Mo.
The Bigger Picture: Saving Lives In Flagler County
Sharing the story behind Mo’s drive to raise money for breast cancer, and the High Jackers family’s support for each other and the community, it was a heartfelt moment as they met with John Subers, director of the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation, to share news about the fundraiser which had netted $750 as of Tuesday October 26th, and reached $1,030 as of today.
“We’re here celebrating High Jackers and their effort for our Pink Army and breast cancer. Seeing these pinwheels out here, there’s got to be 100 of them, that have been donations from community members remembering somebody touched by breast cancer, what a tribute,” said Subers, who champions the Pink Army breast cancer awareness programs across Flagler County each October for AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation.
“Over the years we distributed over $150,000 and covered over 700 procedures (through the Pink Army efforts), so it really has been dramatic,” he said.
“We know we have saved lives in Flagler County through our Pink Army education and fundraising efforts. Mo is wonderful. This was her idea, High Jackers let her run with it, and look at the blossoming. It was one person, raising money, making a difference, and that difference will help many.”
Thank you to survivor Sandy Cook for sharing her testimonial.
Sandy’s Story:
