The City of Whiting host annual Pink Party to rally and fundraise for Breast Cancer Awareness.

All month long, the City of Whiting has been painting the town pink to raise awareness for breast cancer survivors. Pink ribbons have lined 199th Street as community members showed their support and raised money for a worthy cause. The month-long campaign came to a close Saturday, May 30, at the Pink Party hosted by the American Legion Post 80.

The family-friendly event, hosted by the Pink Ribbon Society of NWI, did not disappoint. Grinning smiles and laughter filled the room as guests sipped drinks from the cash bar, browsed locally donated raffle prizes and silent auction items, and cheered on competitors in the lively pool noodle flamingo race.

The evening also featured live performances from West Lafayette’s own Bats Out of Hell, along with carefully prepared pulled pork sandwiches, homemade sweet treats, and goodies — all cooked and donated by local businesses and community volunteers.

Sarah Creel, the special events director for the City of Whiting, took the reins on this year’s “Paint the Town Pink” initiative. The campaign raises funds by selling pink ribbons — $50 for new ribbons and $35 for reused ones — with all proceeds donated directly to the Pink Ribbon Society. Last year, the event raised over $10,000, a benchmark organizers hoped to match or surpass again this year.

While most communities tie breast cancer awareness to October, Whiting has made May its own. Creel explained that kicking off the event season with a cause this meaningful sets a tone of generosity and community spirit that carries throughout the year.

“I love what it stands for. It’s just something really good to be a part of,” said Creel. “It’s crazy beautiful to see how much the town shows up for the campaign. I sold 90 pink ribbons, and all the proceeds from the donation cost sold for survivors, for people battling it, and for people who have passed. So it’s just really neat to see how everyone comes together for it the whole month.”

Creel emphasized that the success of the campaign is never a solo effort.

“It’s not just me; it’s a huge group of us,” said Creel. “I am fortunate enough to have an amazing team of about four or five people who really come together and help, along with the businesses in town. Everything tonight was really pure, from the raffle baskets to the food we served — it was all cooked and donated. Nothing was purchased. It’s a whole collective unit.”

She added that the organization has donated all proceeds to the Pink Ribbon Society for the past three consecutive years.

The Pink Ribbon Society of NWI has been making a difference for 19 years, raising over $800,000 to support a variety of breast cancer-related organizations and causes. With breast cancer affecting 1 in 8 women, the need for local education, outreach programs, and survivor services is more critical than ever. The programs made available to survivors and those currently in treatment would not have been possible without the sustained generosity of the Northwest Indiana community.

The organization remains committed to increasing the probability of early detection and providing meaningful support to all those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

Local sponsors of this year’s event included Strack & Van Til, along with numerous other businesses and individuals who gave their time, resources, and heart to the cause.

As the last pink ribbons flutter along 199th Street, the message from Whiting is clear: you don’t need a personal connection to show up for your community. You just need to care.

For more information on the Pink Ribbon Society, check out their cause-worthy website at PinkribbonsocietyAbout Us – Pink Ribbon Society

To see what Creel and her crew are up to for the summer, check out Whiting’s summer event schedule for the coming months. Pierogi Fest might be the most well-known, but Paint the Town Pink may be the most purpose-driven. For more information, check their website at Whitingevents Experience Whiting | WhitingEvents.com