TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK?
WCYF hosting event to support Wharton Co. ACS
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com
Wharton County Youth Fair officials will be modeling a new color for a good cause at the fair this year. They have set aside Thursday, May 8 as "Tough Enough to Wear Pink?," a nonprofit effort to support breast cancer awareness and research. They are challenging fairgoers and participants to wear pink to show their support.

L-N Photo by Quala Matocha Pretty In Pink Even guys can wear pink, especially during "Tough Enough to Wear Pink?" cancer awareness day at this year's Wharton County Youth Fair. Thursday, May 8 is the day set aside for fairgoers, volunteers, directors, rodeo and livestock participants to show their support for breast cancer research by wearing pink. All funds generated from Tough Enough to Wear Pink merchandise will benefit the Wharton County American Cancer Society. Showing off some of the prize drawing items and other items for purchase are (l-r) WCYF President Darrel Kutach, and fair coordinators Carrie Lopez and Cindy Blaha.

"I had heard about it, but never knew what it was about," Wharton County Youth Fair President Darrel Kutach said.

The idea to support breast cancer research developed in 2004 when the Wrangler brand rallied the western industry in support of the campaign. Wrangler, which created a special-edition Tough Enough to Wear Pink? shirt, donated all proceeds to the cause. Since then there have been countless rodeo competitors and fans buttoning up in pink.

Working closely together, WCYF staff, directors and other volunteers thought the idea was worth tackling. After all, one of their own had been going through treatment for breast cancer for almost a year.

Little did Cindy Blaha, fair coordinator, know she would have breast cancer when she and her husband Bud and Kutach and his wife Jeanine attended the International Association of Fairs & Events and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev. in 2006 .

It just happened to be "Tough Enough to Wear Pink?" night, recalled Kutach. "That night PRCA donated $1 million to breast cancer research."

A sea of pink in the audience, as well as cowboys with pink chaps, saddle blankets and shirts, supported the cause that evening. Even the announcers wore pink.

"It just blows you away, especially at the world finals," Kutach said.

Blaha was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2007. After undergoing chemotherapy, her cancer is now in remission. Because of Blaha's ordeal, Kutach recalled the Las Vegas event and how powerful it was for him.

"We are a tight-knit family here at the fair. Cindy dealt with her cancer day to day," he said. "And then it hit me that's what we need to do."

When he asked staff member Carrie Lopez about hosting the Tough Enough to Wear Pink? event, she agreed.

"It was like a chain event," he said. The board gave their approval and "we ran with it and we haven't stopped yet."

Blaha was especially touched when she learned the news.

"I think it's great," she said. "It is overwhelming the money that is coming in."

Organizers didn't want the fair to be out any money, nor gain profit from the event. It is strictly a fundraiser for the Wharton County American Cancer Society. All proceeds will go to that organization. To use the Tough Enough to Wear Pink? logo, volunteers put up $250 to purchase the rights.

Another $5,100 was donated by various businesses and volunteers, as well as merchandise that will be sold at the fair. The goal of the committee was at least $5,000, but they have already exceeded that.

Assisting on Thursday night will be volunteers of the Wharton ACS. "They are coming to set up the table and sell all the Tough Enough to Wear Pink? merchandise," Lopez said.

Some of the items bearing the Tough Enough to Wear Pink? logo are koozies, auto decals, note pads, pins, vests, cotton button- up shirts, Tshirts and ribbons.

When fairgoers purchase a Tough Enough to Wear Pink? koozie for $5, it will include two drawing tickets for prizes donated by area businesses. Some of those prizes are smooth quill ostrich boots from T-N-T Western Wear in Damon, breast cancer jewelry basket from the Gavranovic Family; metal rocker made by Maurice Dluhos; pink variety basket from Shoppa's Farm Supply and Rodney Jedlicka; pink toy pedal tractor from Darrel and Jeannie Kutach; pink breast cancer vest from Academy Sports Center; basket of goodies from Country Crafts; cooler and Mary Kay basket from Bubba and Lynn Hough; Circle E candle basket from Tyler Jewelry and a Bud- Light item from Del Pappa.

The fair will also be taking $1 donations on Family Fun Night, Monday, May 5, which is usually a free event. Again, all proceeds will be given to the Wharton County ACS.

In addition to the drawing, there will be a coloring contest for the little ones and in each category a winner will take home a bicycle.

Bikes are being donated by Glen Flora Farms, Double G Ranch and Prairie Rice. Coloring contest age categories are Pre-K and kindergarten, first and second grade and third through fifth grade.

Committee members are Carrie Lopez, Tammy Wied, Rhea Kachmar, Jamie Bosch, Lynn Hough, Sandy Valigura, Peggy Glaze and Charlotte Light.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink? is partnered by Wrangler, Montana Silversmiths, Professional Choice, PRCA ProRodeo, Las Vegas Events and Weaver Leather.