Carmen, the writer of the story, shared an experience that Tara had with one of her volunteers. She writes Lacher doesn’t knit alone. She’s recruited various clubs and groups, high school students – and even prison inmates – to help make scarves.

“That’s the beauty of My Pink Scarf, Inc. Not only do we share something with those who have been touched by cancer, but we teach others about contributing to a cause,” she enthuses.

“I worked with a gentleman at a correctional facility who had been incarcerated for years. He had nothing but time, so I supplied the yarn and he did the work. He crocheted some of the most exquisite scarves I’ve ever seen, and taught several other inmates to crochet as well,” she shares.

Before his parole, the man requested a meeting with Lacher. After careful consideration, she agreed. During their brief encounter, he told her he came to prison thinking he was the worst person in the world, but his contributions helped him recognize he was a good person.

“A lot of those people don’t have high self-esteem when they walk in. But for a few, this project will change them. And if that is where I leave my mark, I’m fine with it,” Lacher nods. “Several inmates still produce.”

Carmen, thank you for writing the story “Spreading hope – one scarf at a time.” You did an excellent job!

My Pink Scarf, Inc. decorated a cake at the event and the cake was later auctioned off to the highest bidder. The proceeds of the event were donated to the Bismarck Cancer Center to supplement funds for treatment and prevention of cancer.

For $5 you will get an instant return on your investment. How? Well, the first of many coupons gives you $10 off anything in the store! You will also receive: 30% Early Bird Coupon, 6-20% off coupons, and 5 Bonus Offers ($60 savings!)

Don’t just by one…get several for family/friends!

Community Day will give community members the opportunity to save “a few bucks” while supporting a worthwhile cause.

For more information on how to purchase a booklet contact tara@mypinkscarf.com.

The mission of Inspired Woman is to use our community presence to celebrate, encourage, empower, educate and entertain women.

Thank you, Deb, for providing My Pink Scarf, Inc. with this opportunity!

The managers at the Bismarck store like to feature local, non-profit businesses and they have asked My Pink Scarf, Inc. to have a display next to the candles and car freshners. It’s really beautiful!

Thank you, Danielle and Peggy!

The Hays Medical Center Volunteers are excited about a new project that was started at Hays Medical Center in October. Volunteers knit or crochet pink scarves for women who have been diagnosed with cancer. Volunteers include fifth graders, middle school, high school and college students and faculty, community members, and of course, HMC Volunteers and Staff. The project has spread by “word of mouth” and now includes more than 190 participants from four states and 26 Kansas communities.

Many contributors have personal connections and stories to make their participation meaningful to them as well as to the recipients. Distribution to patients of the Hays Medical Center Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute began in January. Over 900 scarves have been knitted or crocheted.

Recipients are surprised and very pleased to receive the scarves. One sent a note saying “Thank you for the beautiful scarf. It certainly touched my heart. What a wonderful, caring project. May God bless each and every one who had a part in the project, especially the angel that created mine.”

The event was a huge success and the proceeds will be used towards mailing costs.

Your support of My Pink Scarf, Inc. is greatly appreciated!

Thank you to everyone who has made this possible. I couldn’t have done it without you!

Little did I know there was another beautiful woman on the show – Maimah S. Karmo.  After seeing the show, I knew Maimah was going to receive a pink scarf because she’s a breast cancer survivor.  

Maimah’s mission is incredible!  “She is committed to educating young women around the world about breast cancer, and empowering them to celebrate their lives every day by harnessing their personal power.  Maimah is dedicated to changing the young adult breast cancer landscape.  She seeks to impact the quality of care and lifestyle for young women affected by this disease.  She ch0se to name the organization Tigerlily because the lily flower represents all things eternally feminine.”  (www.tigerlilyfoundation.org)   WOW!

I noticed on her website that she was having an event – 1st Annual DIVA Night Out – on June 25, 2009 and I asked if I could donate pink scarves for the event.  She agreed!  I mailed her 125 pink scarves for the event and My Pink Scarf Inc. was put on her website as a Swag Bag Sponsor. 

Maimah, I’m blessed to know you.  Together we will do great things!

Christine Clifford Beckwith, a breast cancer survivor, founder/CEO of The Cancer Club (http://www.cancerclub.com/), and author of “Not Now ….I’m Having a No Hair Day” along with several other books on fighting cancer with humor, entertained us and shared her story. 

I had the pleasure of giving out 20 pink scarves that evening.  The women were so appreciative and they looked beautiful wearing them! 

For all those who made this event a success, thank you!

For pictures and more information, visit the Relay for Life blog at www.relayblog.com.

Lauren wrote “I am a senior at Bethel Park High School and for my senior project I knitted a scarf for My Pink Scarf, Inc.  This was the first scarf I ever made.  I hope you enjoy the scarf as much as I enjoyed making it.”

Erica wrote “I am a junior at Bethel Park High School.  I wanted to give this scarf to you because many of my relatives and friends’ relatives have had cancer.  I remember how happy it made these people to know that there are many people who are thinking about them and wanting them to get well.”

Karrie wrote” I am a senior at Bethel Park High School.  This year in sewing class I learned how to knit and crochet.  I learned about My Pink Scarf, Inc. and I thought it was a great thing so I decided to crochet you a pink scarf. ”

Lisa wrote “I am a junior at Bethel Park High School.  When I heard that we could make scarves for breast cancer patients, I thought it would be nice to make someone feel good during an illness.  I really enjoyed knitting the scarf.”

Larissa wrote “I am a senior at Bethel Park High School.  I have always enjoyed knitting and when I heard about My Pink Scarf, Inc. I was glad to help out.”

Thank you for Bethel Park High School.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Erin ended by saying “Thank you again for the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful community service activity.”

Thank you, Threads, for all you’ve done for My Pink Scarf Inc.  I appreciate it!

Thank you so much for inviting me, ladies!

Brian Bartz is the President of the chapter and in their March newsletter he wrote:  “Cancer touched me at a young age; I was about 12 years old or so.  My uncle contracted brain cancer in the early 1970’s.  He was a large, gruff, hardworking, weathered ND farmer and rancher.  My father took our family at least once a month on Sunday afternoons to visit their farm.  I’ve heard the story many times how I would make a wide path around until one day he picked me up and put me on his shoulders.  He was my favorite uncle ever since.  I learned to play pool and heard my first swear words in his basement.  He was a man with a heart of gold; an image in my minds eye of our speaker this month.”

Thank you, Denise, for inviting me!

Quota International, founded in 1919, is an international service organization that links members of all ages, occupations, and nationalities in a worldwide network of service and friendship.  With a motto of “we share,” Quotarians are known especially for their service to deaf, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired individuals and disadvantaged women and children.  Quota members share the values of serving and encouraging others, developing friendships, and promoting international understanding.

Thank you!

 The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

The room was decorated in pink and  they even had a pink dessert!   

Thank you for a wonderful evening, ladies!

Tara’s sister-in-law, Kim Hodny, has partnered with the Hays Medical Center Foundation to bring the national initiative home.

“It’s astonishing,” Hodny said of the community response.  “I know Tara would be really proud.”

Volunteers of all ages have rallied support for the project.  At Lincoln Elementary School, a class of fith-graders involved with the YouthFriends after-school program were very busy learning how to knit.

The volunteers were honored with a reception at the Hays Medical Center.  They had the opportunity to pick up additional scarf patterns and to replenish their supply of pink yarn, which was donated by the hospital foundation.

Thank you so much for your contribution to My Pink Scarf, Inc!

Thank you to all the students that participated.  It was so much fun!