Daily Herald editorial

Though it seems far away, efforts for the 2013 Paint the Town Pink cancer research awareness event are ramping up. Any Austin resident would do well to support this initiative as early as possible.

Paint the Town Pink started last year as an Austin Bruins event to raise money for The Hormel Institute, and to show solidarity with breast cancer survivors. Austin’s Community and Visitors Bureau partnered with city officials and many residents to make this year’s event a large outpouring of support for cancer research and for The Hormel Institute. Austin High School sports teams raised funds through a girls basketball “Paint the Gym Pink” night and several performances by the AHS Dance Team. All told, Austin residents raised more than $62,000 for The Hormel Institute.

The time will soon come to do it again, and residents wishing to celebrate October’s designation as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month should start planning for pink. The CVB hopes to outdo last year’s strong showing with more community inclusion and a bigger donation to The Hormel Institute.

Austin is arguably known for two things: The pride residents show to this town and the extraordinary willingness to donate to good causes. Paint the Town Pink embodies the best of Austin and should be supported as such. Residents who wish to participate can contact the CVB by emailing visitor@austincvb.com or calling 507-437-4563.