TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT THE PINK RIBBONS OFFICE….

And the staff was full of holiday cheer!  The Pink Ribbons office is decked out for the holiday season with a festive wreath on the front door to greet you, a pink tree, stockings hung at each desk, Christmas music playing in the afternoons and TOO many cookies and goodies from our wonderful friends!  You might say we enjoy this time of year around here.

December also means I have completed my first year on staff.  It’s hard to believe that in a couple of weeks, we will be back at our Hoopla Station at Niko Niko’s restaurant cheering on the runners in the Chevron Marathon. It seems we were there not that long ago.  I had been on staff for one week when I went to that first event. It was a great time!  We would love to have you join us on January 15^th, for the 2012 Chevron Marathon. We will be there once again giving our support and making some noise!

Happy Holidays from the Pink Ribbons Project Staff

The Annual Pink Partners Wreath Making Party was a Success!

A special thank you to our Pink Partner Chair, Amy Waltz for another successful event. Hosted in the home of Pink Partner, Kathleen Pennington, Pink Partner members and staff came together to make holiday wreaths for uninsured women in the Greater Houston community. In the hopes of bringing a little holiday cheer to the lives of patients receiving their screening mammogram, our wreath making team came together to make 50 stunning holiday wreaths.

The wreaths were donated to two programs in the community funded by Pink Ribbons Project, The Rose Pink Days and San Jose Clinic’s Milagros de Miercoles. LaTanya Mitchell-Sam of The Rose Galleria and Ruben Molina, Director of Medical Services at San Jose Clinic accepted the wreaths to be distributed to the women receiving their potential life-saving services.

Thanks to our Pink Partners and staff for dedicating their time and talent to making these beautiful holiday wreaths. We appreciate your commitment and dedication to another program being a little cheer into the lives of many women.

 

Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes in the New Year!!!

-Pink Ribbons Project Staff

Loubel, Rozlind, Megan, Kristi, and Faye

Give the Gift of Life this Holiday Season!

December is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming holidays!  We would like to invite you to “Make a Gift of Life” instead of spending hours at the mall searching for the perfect gift for your friends and family.

With every $165 donation to The Giving Tree Program at Pink Ribbons Project, we will donate a screening mammogram to be used by someone in the Greater Houston Community who is medically underserved and couldn’t otherwise afford this life saving service.  Each donation can be made In Honor or In Memory of a loved one.

Pink Ribbons Project has already donated 22 mammograms this month through The Giving Tree Program and later in the week will donate 25 more!  We hope to continue increasing this number through the end of the month!  You could be saving a life by providing a screening mammogram this holiday season.

To give please visit:  http://www.pinkribbons.org/thegivingtree/

GIVE TODAY TO SAVE SOMEONE’S TOMORROW!!!!

PHEW what a crazy good but amazing last two months!

I honor of all of our survivors, memory of those we have lost and the many affected by breast cancer our staff, volunteers, supporters and friends have been dedicated to the fight against breast cancer by bringing awareness to and raising funds for our community. September and October have come and gone but much was accomplished. We plan to slow down, just for a second to catch our breath before the holidays, and then off again to raise more awareness and funds to put to work in our community against the fight against breast cancer. We are able to use the arts to help save lives and improve the quality of life for those touched by breast cancer because of the incredible support from YOU.

 

Tour de Pink, Pink Ribbon Parade, Breast Health Summit, Serve Up a Cure, Pink Out at Sheldon ISD and Lamar High School, Pink Platter, Pink Pigeons, Loubel being honored as one of the Five Outstanding Young Houstonians, Debra King honored as a Halliburton Hometown Hero at the Texans game, Pink Aware, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Andrea Montgomery Designs, Pier 27 Party with a Purpose, Be the Cure Yoga Conference are a few things that have had us busy at work in September and October. Let me not forget to mention that Pink Ribbons Project’s wedding #3 of 2011 is in 18 days! Our sweet Meggie will go from Megan Neelley to Megan Zimont in 3 weeks. How in the world do we do it? With your help!!!

 

 

We could not be more thankful to everyone who has helped make these events a huge success. Our sponsors, volunteers, committee members, 3rd party event hosts, community partners, supporters, friends and family (and amazing interns who come home from college on TDP weekend) help make Pink Ribbons Project and our programs a success! Thank you, thank you, thank you a million times over for your continued support! We are so grateful for each and every one of you.

Happy Wednesday!!!

-Kristi

Oh… What a weekend!

Wow!  We are exhausted but exhilarated from the past weekend’s Tour de Pink activities!  We had great turn-outs for everything and the energy and enthusiasm from the participants and volunteers who joined us to kick-off Tour de Pink – we are less than one month away.

Tour de Pink survivor and novice training rides!

We had our first  of four survivor and novice training rides last Saturday at the Rice University Riding Loop.  Seven new cyclists – including one breast cancer survivor! – broke out their bikes and helmets (some for the first time in decades!) to start training for Tour de Pink.  Most of them had the goal to make it through the 12 mile route on ride day, but with the guidance of the Training Ride Captain Donna Plewa-Allen and many of our dedicated “Safety Mentors” (who are experienced cyclists who are out to give support) many of the novice riders are upping their goal to at least 23!  Bike Barn was also out bright and early in the morning to give a free demonstration on gears and proper bike maintenance.  Bike Barn is incredible!  We have three more training rides to go – every Saturday morning until Tour de Pink – and we would love to see any of you out there who need more time and support on your bike!  For more information please visit: https://secure2.convio.net/prp/site/SPageServer?pagename=train.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Packet Stuffing

Oh me, oh my!  Right when I don’t think that we can be more efficient or hard core – the Pink Ribbons Project staff puts me in awe with their organization and skill.  On Saturday morning staff and more than 40 volunteers were giving a 100% at our packet stuffing!  And… get this… in 2.5 hours they stuffed 2000 packets for the participants and cyclists of Tour de Pink 2011!!  It was simply incredible!  I arrived after the training ride to a group that was there for already two hours and still going strong!!  Thanks to the staff for being so prepared and to our presenting sponsor SoftLayer for providing their amazing office space in downtown Houston.

 

Tour de Pink Kick-Off Party

Can anyone say BBQ????  We had A BLAST at Blanco’s last Sunday kicking-off Tour de Pink with delicious BBQ, an awesome band and the best supporters ever!  Many thanks to Michael, Cindy, Christie, Mark and Susan for joining our current and past top fundraisers, sponsors and volunteers!  All our food was provided by the amazing people at SoftLayer!  Their competitive BBQ team drove in from Dallas the night before, cooked and smoked the food all night long and then dropped off 15 racks of ribs, 40 pounds of brisket and 40 pounds of pulled pork to Blanco’s the next day!  Truly remarkable hearts and recipes!!  Our guests loved the food, The Slags – an amazing band from Pasadena, and the camaraderie! We also raised more than $10,000 from the Pink Prime prize of a brand new iPad 2.  Merry Kay Engbrecht who has captained the Carrizo Oil Pink Pit Stop for the past six years and is going to ride this year raised $5000 in one day!

Pink Staff: Stephanie, Rozlind, Loubel and Kristi

AND…

The SoftLayer SLAYERS Val Stinson, and Cook Team from Dallas, Kelley, Steve (aka) Skinman and Sparky!!!!

(not shown: but still very much appreciated, Catherine)

 

…and for more please visit our Facebook page!

Have a wonderful week. – Loubel

ONE MONTH TO GO!

It is hard to believe that Tour de Pink 2011 is right around the corner!  September 18^th will be here in only a month!  This is the big event I have heard about and waited for since I joined the Pink Ribbons Project family in January.  The day’s fun and excitement will begin with the Tour de Pink ride and continue on at the Ride Festival with music, food and raffle prizes.  This is my first Tour de Pink and as a staffer and I cannot wait to see the event come together after all the months of preparation. The impact this event will have on me as a breast cancer survivor will be especially meaningful.  It is gratifying to know that I have a role in producing an event that brings together so many people whose lives have been touched by breast cancer and have the same goal to raise funds to educate and raise awareness.

 

There is still much to do in a short amount of time; and we can use your help to make it happen!

This Saturday is a great way to volunteer – at Tour de Pink Packet Stuffing!  Breakfast will be provided and as always, we will be busy and promise to have a little fun too!  Everyone who signs up for Tour de Pink will receive a bag full of goodies and this year, we are making 2,000 bags!!  Please come out and volunteer a few hours of your time.  We can’t do it alone!

 

Date: Saturday, August 20th

Time: 8am – 12 Noon

Location: SoftLayer offices, 315 Capitol St., Houston, TX 77002

RSVP required to: megan@pinkribbons.org

 

 

As always, thank you for your continued support!  Hope to see you Saturday – and we will definitely see you at Tour de Pink on September 18, 2011!

 

Stephanie Zerger

Administrative Associate

We “Craved” Pink…streets, lemonade and cupcakes that is!

On August 6, 2011 Pink Ribbons Project helped bring pink to the streets during White Linen Night in the Heights. Even though it was hot and felt like 143,689 degrees outside, our staff, interns and volunteers beat the heat and participated in the first ever, Pink Street. Our friend, Bob Domec, Jr. from Casa Ole 290, was the brains behind this baby bringing breast cancer organizations together from across Greater Houston to awareness of the cause to the community.

Pink Ribbons Project was on hand with our Tour de Pink crew, Kermit and our Pink Paint program as well as interns who served up pink lemonade along with special, not on the menu, pink lemonade cupcakes from Crave. Over 500 people visited our tent and learned more about Pink Ribbons Project and the work we do in the community. Our team was enthusiastic and even brought their talent to help make Pink Street a huge success. Thank you to everyone who volunteered and stopped by our tent. We appreciate the love!

Our Summer 2011 Interns: Lauren, Allie, John & Christy

Pink Street at White Linen Night in the Heights

Susan Rafte, Loubel Galik and Interns: Zoe, Allie and Christy

Drink Pink!

Pink Paint at Pink Street White Linen Night in the Heights

Happy Wednesday!

PINK Street- White Linen Night in the Heights!

Join us this Saturday at White Linen Night in the Heights!

Members of the Breast Health Collaborative of Texas will line Pink Street for a night of breast cancer awareness and of course lots of fun!!  The Pink Ribbons Project booth will include pink lemonade, Crave cupcakes, artwork created by breast cancer survivors in our Pink Paint program and our Tour de Pink committee will be signing people up!  Anyone who signs up for Tour de Pink on Saturday will have a chance to win a Pink Ribbons Project Argyle Jersey.

Hope to see you there!

For more info Visit: www.whitelinennightheights.com

Tour de Pink SLayer’s

Last week, Rozlind and I traveled to Dallas to visit our new Tour de Pink presenting sponsor SoftLayer technologies.  After Roz triumphantly convinced her boss that driving ten hours round trip was not an intelligent idea, we boarded the short 43 minute Southwest flight to Love (which was a much better idea than the one Roz had to fall in a 35 minute line to get a burger at the BRAND NEW In and Our lunch there… but I digress.)    We were beyond giddy to FINALLY meet the gracious, kind Pink angels who believed in Pink Ribbons Project and Tour de Pink enough to donate their time, talent and treasure.  Actually they believed in Val Stinson!

To give you some background.  If you have enjoyed the water, gatorade, bananas – the coolers the hydration came in and the tents where all of these items are placed under – you need to thank Val.  Val has been with Pink Ribbons Project since the very first Tour de Pink when our Artistic Director, Jane Weiner, asked (begged) her to help carry the ice to Prairie View A&M for the inaugural ride.  Sweet Val agreed, with no idea that seven years later she would be in charge of the logistics of getting the supplies to all nine rest stops, manage eight incredible van driving volunteers and be the new best friend of every Pink Ribbons Project employee.  Without a doubt, her most important role is to be the sounding board and unpaid counselor to a young Executive Director only in her second year in the role.  So, when I called Val one day and said, “We don’t have a presenting sponsor which stresses me out so much I can’t sleep, eat or function…,” Val responded with, “Baby, you gotta eat!!”  Immediately, Val contacted Lance Crosby – the CEO of SoftLayer Technologies.  Val has been a loyal employee of SoftLayer for years and knew that the company put not only the community, but their staff first.  Val told Lance all about her involvement with Tour de Pink, her belief in the Pink Ribbons Project mission and the always modest Val admitted that she was so committed to the cause that she was awarded the Tour de Pink Volunteer of the Year award in 2009.  In less that 10 minutes Lance emailed her back and said simply, “We’re in.”

Which leads us to our Dallas field trip to the SoftLayer Headquaters.  Although they have an amazing office downtown across from the Hobby Center here in Houston, SoftLayer’s base is in Dallas and we were honored that they were taking the time to meet with us to learn more about Tour de Pink and how they can be involved.  Roz, Val and I met Lance Crosby who is, without a doubt, the most humble and easy going CEO on the planet.  Lance was honored to be part of Tour de Pink and loved seeing the SoftLayer logo all over our jerseys and t-shirts.  He spoke about how his mother is a breast cancer survivor and how the cause was close to his heart and that of his family.  As the meeting progressed I was convinced more and more through the meeting that we had found and amazing partnership.

Thank you to SoftLayer for being the presenting sponsor of Tour de Pink 2011 and all the SLayers who will join us on the road at Prairie View!!

-Loubel Galik, Executive Director

Run-for-a-Reason

The lottery for the Chevron Houston marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon have been announced. If you did not get selected, no worries you still have a chance to participate! To guarantee your spot in the race, you may participate through the Run for a Reason program. The Run for a Reason charity program offers two alternative ways to enter the marathon and half marathon races through guaranteed “Heroes” registration and “Fundraise for Registration” options.

Heroes Charity Registration: “Become a Hero” and receive a guaranteed race entry into the 2012 Chevron Houston Marathon or Aramco Houston Half Marathon. The Heroes charity registration enables runners to make an up-front, direct donation of at least $350 to PInk Ribbons Project, a Run for a Reason charity, plus the cost of registration ($125 Full, $104 Half), to secure a spot in either race. Heroes charity registrations are limited and will go quickly so register to be a “Hero” now!

Fundraising for Registration: The “Fundraising for Registration” program gives runners an opportunity to fundraise for Pink Ribbons Project, an official Run for a Reason charity and receive a marathon or half marathon race entry. If you agree to raise a minimum of $1,000 by September 15th, Pink Ribbons Project will register you for one of their spots in the race. Pink Ribbons Project has one spot in the full marathon remaining.

 

If you are ready to register and guarantee your spot, click this link http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/RunForAReason/ ,sign-up to be a HERO…and join Pink Ribbons Project in the fight against breast cancer! For more information, please contact Kristi Okwuonu at kristi@pinkribbons.org or 713.524.7465.