Giving Hope to Fighters, One Pumpkin at a Time
By working under the CRCF, our fund operates as a 501C3 charitable fundraiser.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Past Events 2014
The Tree of Hope
In 2014 we ended the year with “The Tree of Hope” ceremony.
We had people send of names of Breast Cancer Fighters, Survivors and Loved Ones Passed.
We gathered at our local park in the evening for a candlelight ceremony that began with songs by Jack Ellis, reading of the names, the lighting of the tree and ended with hot cocoa supplied by The Old Library Events (http://www.oldlibraryevents.com).
It was a beautiful night, filled with Hope and Love. Over 50 people came out to support The Pink Pumpkin Projects.
Mount Irenaeus Auction
The sale of decorated pumpkin centerpieces will benefit the Mount Irenaeus Franciscan mountain retreat and local breast cancer survivors during an auction Saturday in Olean.
The pumpkin centerpieces, made in conjunction with the Pink Pumpkin Project, will be auctioned during the annual Mountain Auction beginning with Mass at 5 p.m. and the auction at 6 p.m. in the Premier Banquet Center on Constitution Avenue in Olean.
Proceeds from the sale of the centerpieces will be divided between the Mount Irenaeus fund, which will help the Franciscan friars’ mountain retreat, as well as the Pink Pumpkin Project, which helps local breast cancer survivors.
Local chef Sheila Darrow, who has helped the Mountain Auction since 2007, was the first to suggest that the two benefits could help each other. Ms. Darrow said she hit on the idea of selling the decorated pumpkins at the auction while teaching a recent cooking class at CUTCO Corp.
“I walked in the door and saw all of these fabulous looking (decorated) pumpkins,” she said. “I’m on the committee of the Mount Irenaeus auction and when I looked at those pumpkins I kind of got an epiphany.”
2014 1st Annual The Gin Mill, Ellicottville, NY Pumpkin Auction
Maribeth and Ed Rick did a fabulous job of putting this event together for us. In one hour we raised $2,346.00!!
The highest pumpkin went for $300.00. The money was raised by auctioning pumpkins and a 50/50 raffle. All monies were donated to local women fighting breast cancer. This was our 1st auction at The Gin Mill.
Special thanks again to Maribeth and Ed! We also thank Bob who served as the local auctioneer.
Pink Pumpkin growing thanks to agreement
By KATE DAY SAGER, Olean Times Herald
Lynn Anzivine and volunteers with The Pink Pumpkin Project have decorated fall pumpkins the last three years to raise funds for women battling breast cancer.
The project expects to help even more breast cancer survivors thanks to its recent collaboration with the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation. Through the partnership, it has gained nonprofit 501(c)(3) status and expects to obtain more tax-deductible donations from the community.
Anzivine, an Allegany resident and the founder of Pink Pumpkin, began decorating the Halloween pumpkins with family members and volunteers in memory of her beloved sister-in-law, Lori Anzivine Ogle, who died from the disease in 2007.
“She was extremely giving and compassionate, and she always put others first,” Anzivine said. “We wanted this to keep her memory alive.”
The group sold 25 pumpkins the first year, 125 the second year and 500 last year, according to Anzivine. Funds have been given to 13 area women so far.
Anzivine said she is pleased to be a part of the Community Foundation, as she appreciates the work the organization does.
“We really hope that we will be able to have a wider range of people we can help” through the added partnership and publicity, she said. “We knew that we wanted to be connected more in our community and thought starting a fund was a great way to do that. We also really like what the Community Foundation does, including providing 501(c)(3) status so donors can receive tax deductions.”
Karen Niemic Buchheit, executive director of the Community Foundation, said she, too, is pleased to partner with Pink Pumpkin.
“The organizers bring a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and compassion to this cause,” Buchheit said. “We have seen a real need for this type of fund in our region, as many individuals struggling through cancer treatments need both moral and financial support.
“This fund will help with some financial needs while the ladies of The Pink Pumpkin Project are there for moral support.”
Pink Pumpkin will continue to help people who live within a 30-to-40-mile radius of Olean.
Officials hope to increase the number of women and men with breast cancer that receive aid.
Anzivine said that with additional donations, she hopes to one day obtain a warehouse to store and decorate pumpkins on one side of the building. The other side of the facility could serve as a retreat for people to relax, pray, meditate, visit and receive cancer treatment support through programs such as nutrition classes.
Pink Pumpkin will continue its tradition of providing each recipient with a basket that contains items useful during chemotherapy, including a blanket, chapstick and a water bottle.
Another “dream” for Anzivine is to one day have the organization featured on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” for additional publicity that would, in turn, possibly help even more people.
This year’s plans for the organization include a Pink Pumpkin Project 5K Run on Sept. 12 in Allegany. Details on the event will be announced later.
Also planned is the first-ever Pink Pumpkin Project celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Old Library Restaurant in Olean. The event will be held in honor of breast cancer survivors and will include gift baskets, a silent auction, food and a photo booth. All money raised will go toward helping people in treatment.
Pumpkin painting will begin the second week of September, and the project is in need of plenty of volunteers from the community, Anzivine said. The volunteers will be needed to paint this year’s goal of 1,000 pumpkins, of which 750 will be donated, she added.
For more information on the upcoming events, or to volunteer or donate, contact Anzivine at thepinkpumpkinproject@yahoo.com or Pink Pumpkin board members Mary Howard, Kay Anzivine, Paula Ketchner, Kim Ackerman, Pam Pezzimenti or Carla Hulse.