The Pink Gravel Fund

From August of 2020 to October 2021, Pink Gravel LLC has been my vehicle to raise enough money to open a fund within a non-profit organization.   So, in the past year plus, without being too pushy, I semi-silently fundraised and set 100% of Pink Gravel's profits to the side.  My husband and I volunteered or rode in events in order to introduce folks to the Pink Gravel logo and name.  We drug our kids, aka The Pink Gravel Crew, to many gravel intersections to cheer and assist participants on fun rides or organized rides. 

I have to give a shout and thanks to the following for their support in the early beginnings:

>> Joe (Solstice Joe) for his sponsorship of the original Pink Gravel tee shirts.  It wasn't anything we asked for so the least I could do is give the Solstice top billing on the back of the tee.  This is the shirt I live in and the ones you see worn at SAGs and such.
>> Justin after our help at his Nebransas 100k made a nice contribution that was a surprise and appreciated. 
>> And of course, Mark and Renee for embracing Pink Gravel into the Pony Express Gravel Dash 120 fold.  Without even a nudge, they took Pink Gravel and ran; putting Pink Gravel large and proud on their volunteer shirts in 2020. 

It has been these random kind acts so early on that motivated me and the Crew to just keep doing as we do without being annoying ha ha.  We rarely - if ever - asked for money in return; we just wanted to be able to wear our pink shirts and get a slice of pie if possible.

And it has worked.

After 1.5 gravel seasons, $3000 has been raised.  I am tickled pink!  It was time to shop around for a area foundation that would welcome the purpose of the fund as well as fit the communities the foundation served.  After a suggestion from another foundation director, I reached out to Becky of the Emporia Community Foundation (ECF).  It did not take much for her to embrace the purpose of the Pink Gravel Fund.  In one week, an application was completed, submitted and approved on October 15, 2021.  My dream of a Pink Gravel Fund became a real thing.  Wow, just wow!

For those not familiar with the Emporia Community Foundation (ECF), the ECF mission is to connect caring people with causes that build stronger communities within the Emporia area which includes Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties.   The Pink Gravel Fund does extend to Riley County in addition to the seven specifically listed in the ECF.  So that is EIGHT counties in Kansas for the Pink Gravel Fund to serve and provide support for breast cancer patients and survivors.

The Pink Gravel Fund is up and ready to accept donations as we speak.  If you go to the ECF website and click DONATE you can select the Pink Gravel Fund.  (or click the button below)  Any amount welcome and all donations via the ECF to the Pink Gravel Fund is tax deductible.   The short description of the purpose of the Pink Gravel Fund is to provide support for breast cancer patients, survivors and awareness.  The support intended by the fund will occur when an application is submitted by a breast cancer patient or survivor that resides in one of the eight counties is reviewed and accepted by the Pink Gravel Advisory committee and the ECF Board.  Examples of a Pink Gravel grant request could be to help with: a utility bill, purchase item to provide comfort during treatment, assistance for treatment travel expenses.

The PINK GRAVEL FUND plans to begin taking grant applications in the SPRING/SUMMER OF 2022 (UPDATE: when the fund reaches a balance of $10,000.00).  Watch for more information to follow after the first of the year.

In the meantime, if you would like to make an online donation, click the button below.

Mailed checks should be made out to the:  Emporia Community Foundation (or ECF) 
with PINK GRAVEL FUND in the memo line.  

DONATE