Small towns are again boosting Paint the Town Pink this year.

Sam Ewing of Sterling Main Street presented a check for more than $23,000 to The Hormel Institute Tuesday.

Last October, Sterling sold breast cancer awareness pins at its 17 stores for $1.99 with $1.50 of each sale going to The Institute. Sterling also matched donations through the Astrup Family Foundation founded after the passing of founder Leonard Astrup.

Sterling sold 7,345 pins to raise more than $23,000.

Sterling Drug’s involvement, along with its 17 stores, has pushed PTTP’s reach to more than 20 cities through the pin sales, according to Gail Dennison, The Institute’s director of development and public relations.

Along with Austin, communities like Blooming Prairie, Rose Creek, Adams and other rural communities are hosting events again this year.

“It is something that just keeps growing,” said Dennison.

Patti Hamilton and other volunteers with Adams Paint the Town Pink are looking ahead to their second year of fundraising.

“I think it’s important that we continue to raise money especially so cancer and breast cancer can come to an end,” Hamilton said.

Adams PTTP will host pink gym nights for the girls and boys Southland basketball teams on Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, along with a Feb. 11 taco feed at the Adams Legion and a Pink Party on Feb. 20 with lunch from 11:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., along with a magician, painting and much more.