Lisa Smith, Ponoka Stampede

I would first of all like to thank you and your fellow workers who work so tirelessly for such a great cause. As with thousands of other families, ours has been touched by your efforts in creating awareness and raising money for breast cancer.

We live near Ponoka, Alberta and have three boys who are quite involved in rodeo (One has just finished his last year of steer riding and is now involved in team roping on the high school circuit, one is in the wranger division in team roping as well). They have also volunteered their time helping with the stock every day during the Ponoka Stampede for the past several years now.

At this years stampede Tough Enough to Wear Pink day came and I wasn’t prepared! My oldest boy was up in the steer riding and of course the other two were there helping out. I never thought that they would EVER wear pink, for any cause, no matter what, so I didn’t even think of getting them pink shirts. However, the day before they were all insisting that they absolutely had to have a pink shirt to wear, so I was in a panic to find something (I eventually ended up dyeing some white dress shirts pink - they were thrilled!)

We were all there that afternoon watching the sea of pink shirts on young and old, women and men alike. I can tell you that there probably wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd after they were through with the presentation. I was amazed to see how everybody stepped up to the cause and supported it, by monetary donations, by supporting the merchandise and, of course, by wearing PINK! It was truly awe-inspiring and it all started with your efforts!!

Anyway, I thought you might get a kick out of this picture of my youngest son, Nick, after a long, hot and exhausting “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” day. He was so proud of that pink shirt and felt so good about doing his small part to support your cause - it was really a wonderful thing to see in a kid!

Too many times people are not thanked for their efforts. I just felt compelled to send my personal thanks for a job well done. Keep up the great work.

Sincerely,

Lisa Smith