CULLMAN, Ala. – Shades of pink are splashed all around; guests are dressed in blush and Barbie pink. Tables are adorned with sequin runners and pink tulle dress centerpieces, floating candles nearby casting shadows on the scene. Exposed brick accents the beauty of the architecture and twinkle lights shimmer from above. Laughter, ringing of glasses and chit-chat fill the room, setting the tone for a night of fellowship and fundraising with the Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation and its Annual Little Pink Dress benefit on Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Founded in 2013 by Judy Grissom, who saw an immediate need for her neighbors and colleagues facing the impossible diagnosis and treatment of cancer; Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation helps residents going through any type of cancer treatment, assisting with utility bills, transportation costs to and from treatment and food cards to ease the burden further. Fundraisers are held periodically throughout the year, and all funds donated and raised go directly back into the community.
The 2023 CCBBF Little Pink Dress benefit featured “celebrity” servers from the Cullman Police Department and Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, as well as City of Cullman and Cullman County officials waiting tables and refilling glasses, with an exquisite cupcake spread and the melodious tones of a live band humming from the front of the room.
Fundraising activities involved a Pot ‘O Gold raffle and both live and silent auctions. Prizes for the live auction included a Pink Kitchen-Aid Mixer and elegant jewelry items from Doug Doggett Jeweler and Ed White Jewelers. Silent auction bidding began in increments of $10 and bidding remained open throughout the event. Baskets and prizes available included a hand-painted children’s rocking chair, a four-pack of family passes to Cook’s Science Museum, green fees for four plus a golf cart at Cross Creek Golf Course and gift baskets with goods and treasures aplenty. Pink reading glasses were placed amidst the items to assist guests in bidding and assessing their potential reward. The gentlemen of the county also held a fundraiser of their own while waiting tables: a good old-fashioned “City vs. County” tip war.
CCBBF Board President Stefani Nelson said, “We raised $6,019 in tips with the servers this year! It’s always a contest with the City and the County. We really try our best to make it special and fun for everyone.”
When asked to share her hopes for future Little Pink Dress Benefits, Nelson said, “My hope is this benefit will continue to grow larger each year! The community was reaching out to us this year on how they could be involved; that is an amazing feeling! The more money we can raise, the more people we can help in Cullman County that are battling cancer. Our goal is to be a name everyone in Cullman knows. So if someone they know is diagnosed with cancer, they know we are here to help in any way we can and ease some of the burden!”
The event raised an astounding $25,000. If you or someone you know are in need of financial assistance while undergoing treatment, please contact Jessica Nicholson at 256-737-2588.
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