By Anna McFall
All through the city this week, businesses and individuals have been helping to promote breast cancer awareness for the fifth annual “Turn Trussville Pink” event.
All over town, pink bows and balloons are displayed on the front doors of businesses, homes and churches throughout the community.
“Turn Trussville Pink” is a community-wide breast cancer awareness campaign held every year on the 3rd Wednesday in October that started small and has since raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer research.
According to turntrussvillepink.com, what is known today as “Turn Trussville Pink” got its roots in 2006, when Hewitt-Trussville High School sophomore Joshua White worked with DECA, a business and marketing student organization, to implement a project called “Turn Hewitt Pink.”
“The project honored two high school teachers in the midst of a battle against breast cancer,” according to the website. “DECA sold pink T-shirts and decorations as a school-wide fundraiser for breast cancer research. All proceeds from this sale benefited a fund that had been set up five years prior by Hewitt Elementary (now Paine Primary) teacher Kristy Stacks in 2001.”
In 2010, inspired by the overwhelming success and reception of “Turn Trussville Pink,” Joshua sought to create a non-profit organization to facilitate “Turn Trussville Pink,” as well as raise money for cancer research.
The community has embraced this effort wholeheartedly.
Even local business are showing their support by offering special deals throughout the week.
Some businesses promoting the pink effort by offering special deals are: Serra Mazda, Sherry’s Café, Trussville Total Care Pharmacy, Complete Cleaners, and Express Oil Change. Other local companies including Wilbur’s Plumbing Co., Salon 2000, Kuttin’ Up, and the Chamber of Commerce are showing support through decorations and by wearing the official “Turn Trussville Pink” t-shirts.
Pink balloons are being given out at some local businesses for the community to help show support.
Today, Pink Day, some local restaurants are changing their menu to help promote awareness.
Waffle House on Chalkville Mountain Road is serving pink waffles all day
. Joel’s Restaurant is accepting donations in return for a piece of Joel and Peggy Riggins strawberry cake. Chick-fil-A is also showing support by serving pink lemonade all day.
The Three-Eared-Rabbit hosted the pink kick off party last night, serving up homemade chili, hot dogs and chicken salad.
To wrap up the day of awareness, some local churches are a dinner for the community. NorthPark Baptist Church, Trussville Methodist Church, Trussville First Baptist and Central Baptist are showing support by ending this special day in prayer, supporting those fighting this illness and remember those who have lost their battle with breast cancer.
Photos from today’s event can be seen on the Trussville Tribune Facebook page and the Turn Trussville Pink Facebook page