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Oct. 28, 2010
Pink turned green on Sunday, as the Pink Glove Dancers from Brenda’s Body Shop presented a check to Cindy’s Fund for $15,683. A Pink Glove Dance Party was held at Southern High School to celebrate the success of the three-month project to promote breast cancer awareness, and to raise money for Cindy’s Fund, a local charity devoted to providing assistance to cancer patients and their families in Garrett County.
Sandy Bell, president of Cindy’s Fund and twin sister of the late Cindy Kutchman, in whose honor Cindy’s Fund was developed, said she was thrilled to work with Brosnihan in this event. She said Brosnihan has “a special way of getting people enthused and excited” about her events, and that the pink glove campaign was greatly successful in promoting awareness and in supporting the efforts of Cindy’s Fund.
“It has been an amazing journey,” Brosnihan said, “watching the enthusiasm and support in our community grow week to week. The awareness created through the visibility of wearing the pink gloves was astounding. It became a fun, easy way for many people to participate.”
Money was raised via the sale of the gloves to organizations like the county’s rescue squads, fire companies, government agencies, dental offices, hair salons, restaurants, and others. Some businesses participated by purchasing gloves and donating them back for the participants to distribute to spectators during the Autumn Glory Festival.
“During the AGF parades, the awareness really peaked,” Brosnihan said, “with hundreds of parade participants and spectators waving their ‘pink’ hands to show support for Cindy’s Fund and breast cancer awareness.”
The initial goal was to distribute 30,000 gloves, one to represent each person living in Garrett County. Brosnihan said the goal was far exceeded, with nearly 47,000 gloves going throughout the county.
“So many people have asked for the gloves, and wanted their picture taken,” Brosnihan said. “I commend the staff members of The Republican newspaper for their support throughout this project. They featured many of our pink pictures, but with the sheer volume it became impossible to honor every request submitted.
“We have put all the photos collected on our Facebook fan page,” she said. “It is titled ‘Get Your Pink Gloves On.’ We will also be compiling a community slide show, which will be available for interested groups or organizations. We encourage anyone who has not submitted their photos to us but who would like to be included to e-mail them to bbsfitkids@hot-mail.com by Nov. 5.”
The Pink Glove Dancers performed at festivals, fairs, and local events. Brosnihan said the women who committed their time to practices and performances “deserve a lot of credit.”
The top money-raisers in the effort were noted by Brosnihan. Olivia Mortimer came in first with a total of $1,045. In second place was Emily Holland with $530, and Rachel Scott was third with $506.
Brosnihan said donations were always collected after performances, and that increased the fundraising significantly, and also kept the awareness issue at the forefront.
“Garrett County people are so generous,” said Brosnihan, “and they prove it over and over again by their outpouring of support for charities and organizations. I hope people who live here really appreciate just how special it is to have so much love and support from their community.”
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