Pottstown's Boobie Nation Fund-Raiser Tonight

With its name and berry pink, customized pick-up truck, Boobie Nation gets a lot of attention for its support of breast cancer awareness.

But the non-profit group also aggressively fights for a number of local charities.

Think of it as intense girl power with support from guys.

Gwendolyn Swinehart, president and owner of Boobie Nation, founded the group in 2010.

"We started just as a breast cancer awareness group," she said. The effort -- which includes a team of vounteers -- quickly expanded. "This year we have nine charities ... We grew."

For 2011, Boobie Nation held several creative fund-raisers that collected over $10,500 for local charities. 

"We just try to come up with different things to do," said Swinehart, a wife and mother of three children.

She said her cousin, a breast cancer survivor who runs a similar group in South Carolina, helped her start Boobie Nation.

"She was my guidance," Swinehart said and added she's grateful for the help of family and friends.

"It's very time consuming," Swinehart said of running the non-profit. "You just have to put your heart into it."

The organization in July filled its truck with donated items including gift cards, paper products and office supplies for Allentown-based Camelot House, which helps children with disabilities. 

The group in October held bake sales at the Montco River Festival, a Boosters Club party in Fleetwood and a Halloween Party at Cheers Tavern and raised $1,170 for the month to donate to breast cancer research. 

In November and December, Boobie Nation held a toy drive and partnered with Five Below in Pottstown on Black Friday to collect wish list items for The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The group raised over $1,000 at events during the two months. 

So far this year, Boobie Nation raised more than $2,000.

Supporters of the group include men and women who volunteer at charity events, donate goods, use of facilities to host events, provide financial support and buy Boobie Nation merchandise to help promote the organization. Boobie Nation sponsors include the , , Grandview Speedway, and .

Upcoming Boobie Nation fund-raising events include a drag queen show at The Inn At Reading from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on March 9. The event, Glitz and Glamour The Benefit Show, will collect a $10 cover charge from visitors, is open to all ages and will promote autism awareness. Proceeds from the show will go to Albree's Angels. Call 484-772-6942 to reserve a table at the event. 

A second annual charity golf tournament for will be held at on June 28.

From May to August, the organization will host at . Cars, trucks and motorcycles are invited to participate in the events for a donation that will go to charity. The cruises will also include raffles and prizes.

Justin Kulp of Boyertown, a volunteer for Boobie Nation, runs the group's car shows.

"I love it," he said of raising money for charity. "A lot of people need help with a lot of things. You can see the sigh of relief on their face ... It's neat."

Boobie Nation's monthly charities:

January - Boobie Nation event

February - Childhood Illness & Cancer Awareness

March - Albree's Angels

April - Autism Awareness

May - Diabetes Awareness

June - Alex's Lemonade Stand

July - Camelot House

August - Boobie Nation Event

September - Leukemia Awareness

October - Breast Cancer Awareness

November and December - Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia

Learn more on the Boobie Nation Facebook page.