 Courtesy Judy Broadland Peters Creek Farm in Georgia hosts trail riding events, including the Boss Brothers Breast Cancer Awareness trail ride in conjunction with Boss Brothers Country Store, as part of the Purina Pink 50 Campaign. |
As the season quickly transitions to fall, farms and ranches across the U.S. are adding to their to-do list, already full of harvesting and livestock care. During September and October, more than 50 fundraising events will be hosted by farms, ranches and their suppliers to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.
The farms are uniting as part of Purina’s Pink 50 Campaign, which coincides with National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.
“The purpose of the Pink 50 Campaign is to reach out to women in rural America—raising awareness about breast cancer, educating and sharing information, and supporting one another,” says Christy Goodwin, marketing manager of Land O’ Lakes Purina Feed.
Launched this year, the Pink 50 Campaign was inspired by Purina’s Senior Horse Tales Contest, in which horse owners have shared stories about how their horse has helped to provide comfort to cancer patients and their family members. The events range from barbeques to trail rides to tack swaps.
Boss Brothers Country Store in Loganville, Ga., and Peters Creek Farm in Social Circle, Ga., are teaming up to host the Boss Brothers Breast Cancer Awareness Trail Ride on Oct. 2, 2010. The day-long event, open to men, women and children of all ages, will include a pledge ride on the farm as well as entertainment, live and silent auctions, and a home-cooked meal to follow. The evening will also include time to honor and remember people who have been affected by breast cancer.
Courtesy Chris Goodwin Riders venture the trails of a past Dream Ride event at Flying W Ranch in Kansas. This year, the Dream Ride will kick off the Purina Pink 50 Campaign. |
“We will have handmade luminaries to celebrate those who have survived breast cancer and to remember those who lost the fight,” says Susan Boss, co-owner of Boss Brothers Country Store.
This is the Boss Brothers’ first breast cancer awareness fundraising event, but some farms have been doing it for years. Flying W Ranch in Clements, Kan., near Cottonwood Falls, will be hosting the 11th annual Dream Ride in the Flint Hills. To put such an event together is a team effort, says Ernie Rodina of the Better Horse Network, a sponsor of the event.
The weekend-long Dream Ride kicks off on Sept. 24, 2010, and ends with a big Sunday breakfast and relaxing trail ride.
“I think everyone should play a role in supporting breast cancer research because cancer sometime will or has touched everyone,” Rodina says.
Boss couldn’t agree more.
“Farmers, especially females, tend to put themselves last,” Boss says. “That’s why we want our female customers to ‘Be the Boss of You,’ and get your yearly check-ups and mammograms. Breast cancer touches so many lives now that it is up to us all—including farmers—to raise awareness of breast cancer and to do all we can to fund the fight of this disease.”
In addition to the farm fundraising events, Purina will be re-packaging their top animal feed in pink. A portion of the proceeds from the packages sold will be donated to breast cancer research.
To find a Pink 50 Campaign even in your area, visit Purina’s website.
