Hands-on project: Wall of Hope gives inspiration

Valley Life editor

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and one local store is challenging the community to raise money to promote awareness, research and treatment.

The Wasilla Carrs store has been active the last several years in raising money during October, as part of a statewide Carrs campaign. This year, the store has already raised more than $9,000, and is well on its way to raising $15,000, the goal organizers established.

"Everyone is real gung ho about it. They want to give back to the community," said Penny Ressler, who is heading the effort at the Wasilla Carrs store. "All of the Carrs are doing it."

Two years ago, Ressler was leading the fund-raising efforts as well. During the middle of that campaign, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and now is a proud two-year survivor.

"Knowing it can happen to anyone drives me more to get the word out to everyone," Ressler said.

The thing customers notice most about Carrs' efforts are the countless pink placards -- or "tear tags" -- hanging around the checkstand area, the salad bar, the deli and just about every other place they can be hung. The cards are being sold for a donation at all checkout stands.

Tucked around the customer service booth is the "Wall of Honor," where breast cancer survivors have literally put their fingers all over the awareness issue. Hand prints of each survivor are up on the wall, using pink finger paint.

Some of the names are recognizable -- politicians, longtime and well-known Alaskans -- while others are just average people not many people know. There is one man and one 25-year survivor on the wall. All the names share one thing in common, however -- the battle against breast cancer. It's a bond all the names represent, regardless of profession or notoriety.

Fund-raising efforts also include the sale of breast cancer awareness bracelets and magnets, as well as donation canisters at all checkstands.

Behind the scenes, employees are chipping in as well. Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the month of October, Carrs employees can dress down -- for a fee. Employees can donate $20 to dress down for the month, or $3 per day -- but they have to wear pink.

"It looks great in here when all the checkers are wearing pink," Ressler said.

There is also an employee drawing for days off. For $1, employees get the chance to win Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving off, as well as Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas off work.

From Oct. 24 through Oct. 30, there will be a "Get Smart and Stuff Out Cancer" campaign as well. Used books and used stuffed animals will be for sale in the front lobby, with the proceeds going into the overall donation pool.

As of Tuesday, Carrs had raised $9,200, as compared to last year's entire month's total of $8,000.

So far, the Wasilla location led the district in fund-raising, and was fourth overall in the entire division.