Pink Arrow Pride Funds Distribution
Pink Arrow Pride announces the funds distributed from the 2022 annual
event.
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About Pink Arrow Pride
There is something truly amazing happening in the Lowell school community! It’s Lowell Pink Arrow Pride. Perhaps you weren’t aware that the Lowell Pink Arrow Pride is a sensation in our community. Pink Arrow Pride 2008 was the brainchild of Lowell’s football coach, Mr. Noel Dean. A football game was played, in rare pink jerseys, the sound of a thousand donated pink thunder-sticks was in the air, and the stadium was virtually a sea of pink. Through the work of numerous dedicated volunteers and the support of our community, The Pink Arrow Pride raised $93,000 for charities.
In 2009 the community of Lowell took on a tremendous goal of raising money and totally renovating the Senior Neighbor building that would become the home to Gilda’s Club. Gilda’s Club is nationally recognized for its free cancer support community. They provide numerous programs and activities to individuals and families who are fighting cancer. Gilda’s Club is renowned for their motto, “In this together. Learn. Share. Laugh.” With your contribution, along with contributions from so many others, the goal was achieved and the Grand Opening was celebrated September 1, 2009. Along with this Pink Arrow Pride 2009 raised $116,000 for its charities.
The Pink Arrow Pride experience not only raised the level of awareness about cancer and its devastating effect on families, but provided an opportunity for Lowell’s varsity football team to demonstrate that life is not just about winning football games, but that there are more important values of family, kindness, honor, and service. It was once said that “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
Pink Arrow Pride will continue to focus on accomplishing the main goal to continue awareness for the treatment and cure of many forms of cancer. We will also continue to support the efforts of the Lowell Area Community Wellness Organization and their work to help those struggling with cancer and provide education programs. And, of course, we will work to increase and maintain student scholarships in honor of Kathy Talus, a former Lowell teacher and coach who lost her battle with cancer, and Dr. Gerard who has dedicated more than 30 years to volunteering and giving care to our student athletes.
We ask you for your support. Your contribution, along with the contributions of many others, will help make a difference. The true pinnacle of Pink Arrow Pride will take place at the first varsity football game.
We thank you for your support in advance. We know the members of the Lowell Community will rise to the challenge. Just remember we are “A community fighting cancer.”
Lowell Pink Arrow Pride Committee
Nicki Donda
Nicki lives in Charlotte, MI. She has three daughters and works as a technical analyst. She is in a women's senior softball league that just won the National Championships. She was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer. She started using Gilda's club counseling services after her cancer diagnosis. She wants to inspire others to share their experience because there are people out there who can help.
Denise Washburn
Denise is a long time teacher for Lowell Schools. She works at Murray Lake Elementary. She is a breast cancer survivor. She is thankful for the support she received, her teaching community, her family, and her faith helped her to get through.
Chelsea Weiskerger
Chelsea used Gilda's club for grief counseling. Chelsea grew up in Denver and came to Michigan to attend MSU. Her senior year her mother was diagnosed with cancer and the only place Chelsea could find for counseling that fit her needs was Gildas of Lowell. After graduation she moved to Atlanta and met with us via Zoom to share her story.
Mary Esparza
Mary lives in Lowell and is a librarian at Kent district library. Mary lost her husband to cancer and uses Gilda's Club for grief counseling. Mary is now going through her own cancer journey.
Rachel Francisco
Is a 2006 Lowell graduate. She is a preschool teacher in Grand Rapids. She is a stage 1B triple positive breast cancer survivor.
Kyra Marks
Kyra is a Lowell graduate. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year, and is a fierce fighter. She continues to compete in the wakeboard world championships.
Pamela Topolinski
Lost her son and Patrick Kargl’s brother, Joe Kargl, in 2015 to a car accident. Utilized Gilda’s Club for grief counseling.
Hillary Coaker
Hillary is a Lowell graduate. She is a recent lung cancer survivor. Her mother was a longtime Lowell Area Schools employee and coached with Kathy Talus, who was the main inspiration for starting Pink Arrow.
Jenny Andrews
Jenny is a recent breast cancer survivor. Jenny is thankful for the support of her family and employer for helping her through. Between her husband and her they have six children.
2023 Sponsors
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