Hockey fans asked to support 'Pink in the Rink'on March 10

Date: 3/7/2012

March 7, 2012

By Lori Szepelak

lori@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD —Women cancer survivors will be honored on the ice during a pre-game ceremony when the Springfield Falcons hit the ice against the Syracuse Crunch on March 10.

The fourth annual Pink in the Rink fundraiser, organized by Jenny McNulty of South Hadley and Kristie Turcotte of Agawam, will benefit The Mary Kay Foundation's mission to eliminate women's cancers and domestic violence.

McNulty is an independent executive senior sales director for Mary Kay in Western Massachusetts, and Turcotte is her assistant and is also in sales. They also receive support from Cyndee Gress, a Mary Kay national sales director, and Leslie List, a senior sales director based in New Jersey. TD Bank is the official sponsor for the event.

During a recent morning interview with Reminder Publications, both women were energized about this year's event and hope to raise $40,000 which would put them over the $100,000 mark raised for the four years of the event.

"Pink in the Rink is Mary Kay's longest standing fundraiser," McNulty said, noting that when both she and Turcotte lost a friend to domestic violence five years ago, they reached out to the Mary Kay Foundation to see how they could help other women. When they realized that Pink in the Rink could be linked with the Springfield Falcons, they immediately placed a call.

"The Springfield Falcons got on board with this immediately and are supportive every year," Turcotte said.

When contacted by e-mail, Chris Thompson, Falcons vice president of business development, was also upbeat about this year's event.

"Pink in the Rink has become a national event throughout the American Hockey League and we're extremely proud to be joining The Mary Kay Foundation to support the fight against cancer," Thompson said, adding, "Thanks to TD Bank for their loyal corporate support."

Sponsorship levels are also still available at the gold $1,000 level, $500 silver level, $250 bronze level and $100 Friends of the Rink level.

Both women explained that throughout Mary Kay Ash's life, she showed others how to live and how to give, as well as gave hope to women who lacked opportunity, self-esteem and financial support. She is best known for presenting pink Cadillacs to her top salespersons.

As part of the pre-game ceremony, Erika Insana, a Mary Kay sales director from New Jersey, will sing "God Bless America," followed by cancer survivors who will come onto the ice to be recognized by the crowd.

"If you're a cancer survivor, we'd love to honor you," Turcotte said.

The ceremony will conclude with recognizing a Falcons family member who is a cancer survivor, as well as honoring a cancer survivor from the TD Bank and Mary Kay families. The ceremonial drop of the puck for the three honorees will signal the end of the ceremony.

McNulty and Turcotte will welcome visitors at the entrance to the arena with a Mary Kay Foundation table and all women cancer survivors will receive decorative bags of Mary Kay samples, coupons and chocolates, all coordinated by April Rayder, a Springfield Mary Kay sales director. Additionally, the women will be collecting old cell phones and old ink jet cartridges for recycling purposes with all proceeds to benefit the Foundation.

"We hope to fill the rink in pink tones that night," McNulty said, adding the Falcons will come onto the ice in pink jerseys and two of the jerseys will be auctioned off that evening with proceeds to benefit the Mary Kay Foundation.

"The rest of the jerseys will be available on eBay and all proceeds raised will benefit the Foundation," Turcotte said.

McNulty added that when donating to the Mary Kay Foundation, 97 percent of the donation dollar goes directly to programs and research with less than three percent going to administrative costs. Donations go directly to funding cancer research, establishing and improving women's shelters, and funding programs and organizations that help survivors.

Each year, the Foundation also awards a grant to at least one domestic violence shelter in every state. Grant applications are reviewed by the Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Committee, which makes recommendations to the Foundation's board of directors. After reviewing these recommendations, the Foundation's board selects the final grant recipients. Domestic violence shelter grant applications are available at www.marykayfoundation.org through April 30 each year.

"Mary Kay's mission is to enrich women's lives," said McNulty, adding, "The organization is so much more than skin care."

For more information and to purchase tickets, call Thompson at 739-3344, ext. 109. Tickets are also available at the door of the MassMutual Center on game night. For every ticket sold, $3 will go to The Mary Kay Foundation. Also, the first 2,000 fans will receive pink thunder sticks, complements of TD Bank.

"There is real heart behind the Falcons and this cause," said McNulty, who promised a "magical night" for all hockey fans.

For more information on sponsorships still available, contact Turcotte via e-mail at kturcotte@marykay.com.