Pink fad proves profitable fundraiser

Fashions fade fast among young teens; so, when pink’s popularity swept through Indiana, the Lebanon Middle School Builders Club responded swiftly to cash in on the colorful craze.

“We had a dance committee of approximately 12 members,” remembers Amy Hammerle, a Lebanon Kiwanis club member and Builders Club advisor. “They met and brainstormed theme ideas for the dance. After some discussion they decided on the theme ‘Pretty In Pink.’ At that time, pink was the ‘in’ color for girls as well as guys.”

The students wanted to support the Caring Center, a facility that provides food, clothing, and household items at no charge to families in need. Working with their co-sponsors from the school’s music department, the Builders promoted the dance by hanging posters in the hallways outside their classrooms, broadcasting advertisements during the daily announcements, and posting details on the school’s Web site.

To attend the dance, students could choose to pay US$3 or donate two food items to the Caring Center, but everyone was encouraged to wear one color: pink. Pink drinks and pink snacks were sold, and pink prizes were awarded in a “Prettiest in Pink” contest.

“Many kids were dressed entirely in pink,” Amy says.

Though it was the club’s first dance, the Pretty In Pink fundraiser netted $370 and more than 200 food items.

“It was a huge success,” says Amy. “When we delivered the donations to the Caring Center, director Teresa Hanners was overwhelmed by the Builders’ thoughtfulness.”