There are no words to say but, “Congratulations!” Sprinkle Pink is a community effort and with everyone getting involved, the results are sky high this year. The total amount raised from our community is $44,755.73! With the match from Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, the total amount donated to the Aid for Mammography Fund for this year is $89,511.46.
Sprinkle Pink started four years ago from one pink event held in Hamilton. Today, Sprinkle Pink is valley wide with something for everyone! This year over 100 businesses, all schools, and multiple events created opportunity for residents of all ages to get involved. The twelve Mammo Men shared their talent throughout the county and decorated pink windows popped up everywhere as the fundraising events began in earnest. Everyone is a winner in this effort and the benefits are abundant.
Sprinkle Pink includes a competition as well. The community merchant raising the most money this year was Evans Ace Hardware, taking first place with $2,033. Valley Drug and Variety came in second with $1,471, and Albertson’s was third at $1,034.
Evans Ace Hardware sold pink paper strips for one dollar apiece. Each strip has a name on it and was made into the traditional old fashioned pink paper chain. This chain is a remembrance of those who are fighting cancer, have survived cancer, or who have passed from cancer. The windows are filled and the pink chain continues through the store. Owner David Evans said, “Each employee was involved in this effort and many customers were happy to support this project and this cause.”
“The result is over $2000 in donations and a really good feeling,” said Chris Smith, Store Manager. “We are community and having the opportunity to make a difference in our local community’s health is huge. Also, knowing that the donations are matched by our local hospital, we are proud to be involved. We are also stoked about raising over $2000, this is the highest year ever in donations!”
The Mountain to Molehill 5K run, one mile family fun run and barbecue not only came in first place for the most event money raised with $2,910 but was a fun time for everyone. Over 100 runners, walkers, children of all ages, wagons, and even four-legged friends filled Tammany Lane, which was also decorated in pink. Helen Neil, one of the many runners, shared, “I did the 5k with 12 others. The weather was perfect, the countryside was beautiful and we enjoyed chatting during the entire walk and cheering on the runners that passed us. It was so much fun!” The Sunshine Kids started the event by singing the National Anthem and they did a terrific job. Forrest Gump started the run off with a bang and ended it with chocolate at the finish line. Nick’s Restaurant hosted a great barbecue for all, and the Bellezza Gals painted many faces and gave out lots of pink hair. The bounce house was always busy and the pink slime seat created a fun mess with lots of laughs.
The Gumption Show was a marvelous pink time and was the second place event winner with $1,565 raised! The night started with a pre-party serving wine, hors d’oeuvres and chocolate. Steve Weber’s impersonation of Forrest Gump set the stage for the night’s entertainment of skits, special appearances and survivor stories, which turned out to be a wonderful celebration of our community.
Stevensville High School was the first place winner among school fundraisers with $2,357. The fundraiser was a Senior Project for students Jared Schultz and Trevor Zeiler. Jody Torrey was their Senior Project leader. “This was an eye opener for me,” said Schultz. The two seniors have been touched by breast cancer and wanted to make a difference before graduating high school. Despite all the doubt from surrounding friends, the two took on the project of creating black and pink “hunt for a cure” long sleeve shirts. This project was not just to create shirts, they had a plan. “We created distribution, took orders and partnered with Hamilton High School. We thought rather than be rivalries we could work together and sell more shirts, raise more money and make a larger difference,” said Schultz. Trevor Zeiler said, “Our dads’ and other local businesses got us started with donations for the seed money to place the first order, and then our plan took off. With help from local businesses selling the shirts and both high schools supporting the project, the shirts sold faster than expected. We are proud of this shirt, the design on the front speaks to the hunter and the design on the back of angel wings embracing the pink ribbon speaks to both of us. We both wanted this project to represent our spiritual lives and this graphic does it!” They sold a total of 180 shirts.
Hamilton High School’s Volleyball Team scored second place for school fundraisers, bringing in $357. They raised money geared up in pink on the court during a pink out game, and received lots of cheers from the crowd. Hamilton girls know how to play hard and raise money for a great cause!
Grants and donations were provided by Soroptomists of Hamilton, First Security Bank, St. Francis Church and Glaxo Smith Kline. Several merchants and events donated over $500 each. They included: The Traveling Raffle, Blacksmith Brewery, Town House Inn, Cowboy Troy’s, BitterSweet Salon, Caffe Firenze, Between the Worlds, and Stevensville Hardware.
“There were many more donations from all over the community that together raised more than we could have imagined,” said Amy James-Linton, overall chair of the Sprinkle Pink campaign. “Every donation small or large is matched and makes a difference in the local lives within the community.”
John Bartos, CEO, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, said, “The hospital is dedicated to the community and proud of the efforts put forth to support the Aid for Mammography Fund.”
“The Sprinkle Pink committee is a dedicated group of community minded individuals. Their passion is commended and they did an amazing job!” said James-Linton, who also serves as Marketing Director at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital.
“On behalf of all the Sprinkle Pink Committee members,” said James-Linton, “we want to thank the community for Sprinkling Pink and working together to build a healthier and happier community! It has been fun and rewarding and we could not do it without all of you!”
