Karen Carrier, a member of Sundre's Pinkest Little Town in the West committee, says she is confident Sundre will be able to meet a challenge laid down by Trochu to raise money for breast cancer research.
The Pinkest Little Town in the West contest is linked to the Wild Pink Yonder cancer fundraiser horse ride. Trochu, which won the contest in 2010, has challenged Sundre to win in 2011.
The Sundre committee wants the town to at least top Trochu's last year total of $22,000 by October 31. Karen says she'd like to see the Sundre effort raise $30,000.
Sundre's committee has been working to meet the challenge since the beginning of February.
“Trochu is a small town so we should be able to top them for sure,” said Carrier. “I was born in Sundre and I've never known Sundre not to rise to a challenge.”
Sundre is on the Cowboy Trail, which will be the route of the 2011 Wild Pink Yonder ride. Riders will be in town on Aug. 23, staying overnight at the rodeo grounds.
As part of the 2011 route, Sundre is eligible to compete for the Pinkest Little Town in the West contest.
Carrier's daughter Carly, 14, was the one who inspired Karen to take an active role in Sundre's Pinkest Town challenge; Carly has ridden in the Wild Pink Yonder horse ride two times and will be participating again in 2011.
The winning town will be the community that can raise the most money per capita and that can get the most businesses and residents to get involved by painting or decorating their properties pink.
Sundre Committee member Jamie Marr said earlier that plans being considered for Sundre include a golf tournament, a bake sale, a street hockey tournament, an all ages concert, Canada Day activities, a community garage sale, painting pink ribbon on sidewalks, and other activities.
Organizers are hoping to find a vintage wagon wheel that they will paint pink and bring to all Pinkest Town events.
One Sundre restaurant has already challenged other restaurants to raise the most money.
Donation cans have been set up around town to collect money for the project. The next fundraising event scheduled is a bake sale at the AquaPlex on April 9.
The winning town gets to display a large highway sign declaring the town the contest winner, and also gets to host a country music event with proceeds going to a community project or projects chosen by the community.
Any individual or business interested in making a donation or otherwise getting involved in the Pinkest Town challenge can call Karen Carrier at (403) 638-3195 for more information.
“We want to get this thing moving in high gear,” she said.
