Courthouse Pinkouts successful again
by Barry Bauer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Courthouse Pinkouts, employees of Clinton County and the City of St. Johns, again worked hard to raise money for Susan G. Komen for The Cure, the group they’re associated with.
This is the third year for the campaign. The first year they donated $ 1,490.00, the second year $1,386.00, and so far this year they’ve raised $ 1,907.00.
Karen Gillespie, Courthouse Pinkouts organizer, worked with Creative Inks and Threads to purchase t-shirts, polo shirts, and sweatshirts this year. She put on Swavorski crystals in the shape of the ribbon that symbolizes the cause. Thinking she would get 50 or 60 shirt orders she was shocked when 125 came in. Karen said, “At 11 crystals per shirt I put on 1,375 crystals, one by one.”
She would like to thank Creative Inks and Threads and added, “They were a tremendous part of my campaign.” They are great to work with and very accommodating. I would highly recommend them for your shirt needs.”
“We also had Hanover’s mints and I would like to thank Heather Hanover for her participation in this campaign.”
New this year was a beautiful donation of a Pandora Cancer Ribbon charm and a $20.00 gift certificate by Lee Ann Blakely, owner of Always Charming. The Pandora bracelet was donated by Helen Kus.
Casey Miller won the charm and bracelet.
Another donation came from Mae Platte, owner of A Mae Zing Hair Care. She donated several gift certificates of services performed at her salon along with samples of different products she carries. Helen Kus and Linda Karek also donated items for the drawings which were very much appreciated. Karen’s sister, Janet Taylor, took pink items over to The Red Cross and received donations from her co-workers.
They did a pink bagel day each Wednesday for the month of October. Sherry Jewell, city employee, went to Panera Bread in Lansing early on Wednesday’s and brought fresh bagels into work. The first week they ordered 30 bagels, the second week 56 bagels, the third week 58 bagels, and the fourth week 74 bagels.
Karen summed it up this way, “It just sounds like words but I can’t thank all of you enough for your support and help with the campaign. Everyone was so generous when I went to their office each week with my pink items. My heart sincerely goes out to anyone who has had to go through this disease and/or knows someone close to them that has had to endure this heartache. We as a team, the Courthouse Pinkouts, have donated a lot in helping with the cure.”
Karen then added, “Pat yourselves on the back. You all deserve it.”
