News
Tickled Pink Raises $54 thousand
Fort Wayne, Indiana (October 15, 2009) — Good friends, fun entertainment, a worthy cause … they’re the magic ingredients for a great party! This year’s annual Tickled Pink Girl’s Night Out had the perfect mix.
More than 500 women decked in their prettiest pink attire joined us for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer’s 6th annual soiree, which raised nearly $54,000 for breast cancer research.
“Tickled Pink is a chance to celebrate our girlfriends who battle breast cancer as well as those who are committed to ending it,” says Catherine Hill, executive director of the Vera Bradley Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, Manpower and CWI Logistics, and the amazing support of our hospitality and beverage donors, Tickled Pink 2009 was our best ever!”
Vera Bradley transformed its state-of-the-art operations and distribution center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, into a beautiful pink garden for the ladies-only event, which included pink cocktails, delicious food donated by local restaurants, a silent auction, live entertainment and gifts.
American Idol finalist Michael Johns took to the stage sporting a pink tie in honor of the cause. Fans gathered around the stage as the Australian-born singer sang hits like “Heart on My Sleeve” off his latest album Hold Back My Heart.
Throughout the night guests also enjoyed several behind-the-scenes peeks at both Vera Bradley and the Foundation: researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine answered breast cancer-related questions; special Foundation video clips ran throughout the night in the theater; and Vera Bradley’s Product Development Team debuted Vera Bradley’s Spring 2010 colors, including the next breast cancer awareness pattern which comes out in January 2010.
The most exciting part though undoubtedly came when Hill presented a check for $1.54 million to the IU team, fulfilling the Foundation’s $10 million pledge. “We were delighted that our Tickled Pink “girlfriends” were the first to hear that we will complete our $10 million pledge to the IU Simon Cancer Center.”
No party is complete without gifts. At the end of the evening, ladies took home an Emma in Imperial Toile, new for fall.
The 2009 Tickled Pink Girl’s Night out is scheduled for Friday, October 1, 2010. Check back here at verabradley.org for updates.
See photos of Tickled Pink.
Support the Vera Bradley Foundation’s mission to fund research for a cure.