National American Miss California On A Mission

National American Miss California cover girl Jennifer Van Den Heuval is on a mission—a mission to raise awareness about breast cancer.

The recently crowned Santa Cruz resident hosted her second local fundraiser in as many weeks Tuesday night at Harbor Café to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

And she is already planning a third, although details are not cemented yet. This month would be ideal, she said, because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's an issue that's very important to her, because several family members have battled breast cancer.

The National American Miss California pagaent was held in Anaheim in July and August. Van Den Heuvel was crowned this year's Cover Girl.

She is proud of the success of last month's event, which brought in more than $400.

"I just wrote the check," she said with a smile. Sitting outside in the chilly evening fog, Van Den Heuvel said she hopes for similar success Tuesday evening.

"I want to do better than I did last time," she said. "$550—that's my goal."

Brook Johnston, a local Formula BMW driver, worked with Van Den Heuvel to organize Tuesday night's event. He took Santa Cruz High graduate Reggie Stephens, a former player for the New York Giants, to the event to sign autographs.

And he had no trouble getting 17-year-old Josh Van Den Huevel to agree to do the same.

"He's my little brother," Jennifer Van Den Hueval said. He's also a champion motocross rider.

"It's great to have them all active in the community," Johnston said.

While they are active in the community, neighborhood might be a better word for it, in this case. The Van Den Heuvels live across the street from the Harbor Café. The band for the evening, Hip Shake's signer and guitarist, grew up "less than two blocks away." And the owners of Harbor Café, Max Corwin and Daniel Voskobynikov, both live next to their restaurant.

Corwin is stoked to be a part of the Breast Cancer Awareness month activities.

"It's fun supporting a great cause," he said. "We have fun, regardless, but we really feel blessed to be part of this fundraiser."

Hip Shake, a local blues band led by Greg "Hendu" Henderson, kept heads nodding and bobbing most of the evening. The band plays Harbor Café several times a month, and the breast cancer awareness event happened to coincide with gig night.

"I decided to donate our tips to the cause," said Henderson.

Asked if he knew anyone who was fighting breast cancer, he said, "Too many people."