When it comes to school fundraisers for breast cancer, Primrose Schools are proving you’re never too young to make a difference. Through Go Pink for the Cure, campuses are transforming lemonade stands, pumpkins and hallway handprints into powerful fundraising tools.
When Tearsa Leeming-Turner, director of Primrose School of Midtown Oklahoma City, first learned about Go Pink for the Cure, she jumped at the opportunity to engage students and parents with Komen.
“When I taught high school, I was the faculty advisor for the National Honor Society,” she said. “We volunteered for the Race for the Cure every year. Seeing the passion and commitment of those affected by breast cancer was so inspiring. I knew this was something our school could really get behind.”
Primrose Schools is a national system of accredited private preschools that provide early education and childcare for children from infancy through kindergarten. Multiple locations have hosted school fundraisers for breast cancer – including pink lemonade stands, T-shirt sales, pizza parties and more.
Cookies, Shirts and Hallways Painted Pink
In October, Primrose of Midtown OKC will host Go Pink for the Cure Fridays. These offer multiple opportunities for students, staff and parents to engage and support the fight to end breast cancer.
“We plan to offer pink lemonade and cookies for donations,” Tearsa said. “Additionally, we’re selling custom pink Primrose shirts that staff will wear on Fridays throughout October to support the cause.”
Additionally, Primrose families can participate in Paint the Hall Pink by purchasing pink running ribbons to honor their loved ones impacted by breast cancer. “Students can also participate through the school’s Hands for Hope Wall, where they’ll leave a pink handprint to symbolize their support,” Tearsa said.
Friendly Competition Fuels Fundraising
Primrose of Midtown OKC is one of 280 Primrose schools hosting Go Pink for the Cure fundraisers during October. In Texas, the Primrose School of Lubbock plans to fundraise through the Pumpkins for a Purpose challenge.
McKenna Brameyer, marketing director of Primrose of Lubbock, hopes to inspire friendly competition with the challenge.
“Parents can purchase pink paper pumpkins and write their child’s name on it for a $5 donation,” McKenna said. “We’ll put the pumpkins on the door of the child’s classroom. The class that has the biggest pink pumpkin patch at the end of the month will earn a pink-themed pizza party.”
The Lubbock campus also plans to host a pink lemonade stand – with a twist. “The lemonade will be made by our kindergarten students,” she said. “Of course, with adult supervision.”
Teaching Young Students the Value of Giving Back
Both McKenna and Tearsa see the value of getting their students involved in community service at an early age.
“These events help build community,” Tearsa said. “It teaches our students that not everyone has the same circumstances and the importance of giving back and helping others.”
McKenna added, “When we fundraise, we have someone from the organization come to the school to collect the donations so the students can learn more about how they are helping people. We want to instill in them that regardless of your age, height or abilities, you can always help people in the community and make their day better.”
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
