Raising money for breast cancer

For the past seven years, the Pretty in Pink event has been a fun-filled girls’ night out to raise money for the Marshfield Clinic Patient Care Cancer Fund, which services the Wittenberg, Birnamwood and Weston area. How much fun is decided by those who like to get dolled up, drink pink champagne and engage in a frenzied silent auction for hand-decorated artsy bras. The past couple of years has seen the art content grow from just bras to include chairs, shoes and accessories.

The women’s-only cocktail party was limited to 100 participants at $50 per person. In just seven years, the event has raised $103,450. This is the year that everything changed. The Pink Ladies, the group name for the four to six women who help organize the event, had to figure out a new way to keep the event going without hosting the fundraiser in person.

“This year, we went out to sponsors and asked if they were still willing to sponsor the event, providing they were not hit financially by the pandemic,” said Elaine Knab, who often volunteers as one of the Pink Ladies.

The group is selling donated Charger Buffs, or cloth face masks, at the Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School. Resch Lanes and Tavern Front, both located in downtown Wittenberg, are selling the pink ribbons for one dollar. People can dedicate the ribbon to someone who may have had breast cancer or simply support the cause.

Resch Lanes owners Jenny and Jason Resch are also donating a set of cornhole boards, made by Jason Resch, to be raffled off at the bowling alley.

Denell and Hugh McAloon, owners of Tavern Front, are also hosting money-raising games to support the fundraiser.

Donations are also being accepted at Helping Foundation, P.O. Box 413, Wittenberg, WI 54499.

Money for the Pretty in Pink event is being raised during the whole month of October, with a goal of $5,000.

The Pink Ladies hope that the cocktail party can resume next year and set a date of Oct. 23, 2021.