“Knowing the positive impact these fundraising efforts have on local families has been incredible.”
According to Breastcancer.org, about one in every eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. For seven years, the Cinnaminson Fire Department has helped raise both awareness and funds throughout the community to help fight breast cancer.
Jim Clancy, chairman of the Breast Cancer Awareness Committee in Cinnaminson, has helped create several events and fundraisers this year to help the fight.
“Knowing the positive impact these fundraising efforts have on local families has been incredible,” Clancy said. “Seeing the town come together and support the efforts makes it that much better. Seeing pink bows on the houses and T-shirts throughout the town just reaffirms what we already know, that this community will support a great cause when called upon.”
The project has grown over the years, going from $1,000 in donations its first year to $8,600 in 2016. The goal this year is to raise $10,000 to help people afford the items they normally could not get themselves.
“The two organizations we currently raise funds for are the Tyanna Barre O’Brien Breast Care Comfort Fund and the Rebecca A. Scott Memorial Scholarship Fund,” Clancy said. “Our primary focus for these fundraising efforts is in October, but this year, we started early with the Family Fun Day event in September.”
From now until the end of October, the department has six events scheduled. These events range from donation events at local restaurants to movie nights and holiday events that will take place at the fire station.
“People can get involved by attending our events,” Clancy said. “They can also help by ‘painting the town pink.’ The display of pink bows and lights or the shirts being worn show people that there is a support system out there.”
Social media has been a huge tool for the department to get the word out quickly and frequently about its events. The biggest hope for Clancy and the rest of the department is to continue making a difference in others’ lives.
“We want to help people get items they cannot get on their own, whether because of cost or insurance reasons,” Clancy said. “Those items include wigs, transportation, prescriptions and much more. It also helps train new, up-and-coming paramedics that we will potentially be working with at emergency scenes. The more people we can help through these fund raising efforts, the better.”
To also help get the word out about “Paint the Town Pink,” the department has also started its own painted rock scavenger hunt.
Ten pink rocks have been hidden around Cinnaminson for members to try to find. It is another way the department is trying to draw attention to breast cancer.
“I saw painted rocks getting popular on social media, and when I was in a park with my kids, it was something that came to my mind,” Clancy said. “We want to give the kids of the community something safe and fun to do outside. It also helps them see some wonderful parts of Cinnaminson that they may not be familiar with.”
Monetary donations can be made by emailing jclancy@cinnaminsonfire.org. More information on “Paint the Town Pink” can be found at https://www.facebook.com/CinnaminsonFire/.
Upcoming events
Here is a list of upcoming events part of the Cinnaminson Fire Department’s “Paint the Town Pink” campaign for breast cancer.
Oct 13 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Fire Prevention Night: Station 201 will host an open house, a fire safety trailer, fire engine tours, and demonstrations.
Oct 15 from Noon to 3 p.m. — Cinnaminson Day: The Fire Department will have a display at this annual event.
Oct 19 from Noon to 8 p.m. — Sweetwater Bar and Grill Dine and Donate: This event will feature raffle baskets for attendees. Location is 10 Route 130 North.
Oct 20 from 7p.m. to 10 p.m. — Movie Night: Station 201 will feature a film for all attendees. Starting at 7 p.m. the movie will be Monsters Inc.
Oct 27 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Halloween Night: Before the holiday, join Station 201 for a Halloween Night! There will be a photo booth, and prizes will be given to the best costumes.
