By Bruce Karnick

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October is many things, one being Breast Cancer Awareness month. About a month ago, The Journal told you the story of three local law enforcement / EMS agencies participating in the Nationwide “#Pink-PatchProject”. Three of Minnesota’s 17 participating agencies were Cottage Grove, Hastings, and Dakota County. Together with Anoka County SO, Crosby PD, Farmington PD, Forest Lake PD, Hennepin County SO, Kenyon PD, Mounds View PD, Ortonville PD, Ramsey County SO, Rosemount PD, Saint Paul Fire Department, Saint Paul PD, Savage PD, and Saint Louis Park PD, they helped raise over $25,000 to help fight Cancer.

Of the three that we covered: Dakota County Sheriff’s Office raised $1,158 through the sales of patches across the county. Their funds were presented to the American Cancer Society.

Cottage Grove joined the #PinkPatchProject in 2019. They were the first city in Washington County to join. This year, they raised $235 through patch sales.

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“The monies are earmarked for public safety families who have been affected by breast cancer,” said Cottage Grove Police Captain Gwen Martin.

Hastings has been a part of the #PinkPatchProject a little longer than Cottage Grove. Add on the additional awareness generated by Dakota County being a participant and the additional items Hastings sells, they have a slightly easier time gaining additional funds. Hastings sold out of their pint glasses again, sold 75 color changing glasses, 55 patches and 15 pink ribbon pins, even in the middle of a pandemic. Hastings also received a boost from a local partner, The Spool House, sold the patches at their storefront. With the additional items available, they were able to donate $1000 to the American Cancer Society.

The general feedback around the community was, “Awesome and supportive of our efforts,” Officer Whitney Rinowski of the Hastings Police Department said.

Rinowski was the lead officer for Hastings’ fundraising efforts. “I understand not everyone knows someone that has been affected by breast cancer specifically, however almost everyone knows someone that has been affected by some sort of cancer,” Rinowski stated. “This was the main reason that The American Cancer Society was designated at the recipient of the proceeds from the Hastings Pink Patch Project.”

Rinowski also welcomes the community to engage and strike up a conversation with an officer that’s seen wearing the patch and to give input on what other Pink Patch Project items they would like to be available for purchase, within reason of course. “My hope is to make this project as successful as possible,” Rinowski added.

On the Cottage Grove front, the key is getting the word out. The Cottage Grove PD serves over 35,000 residents in a 37 square mile area, that is a lot of space to cover and a lot of people to help. More importantly, it is a lot of people that CAN help. The more people that know this is something going on in the community, the better.

Perhaps next year, the departments of Cottage Grove and Hastings can have a little contest? This journalist’s vote is to have the Chief of the department that r a i s e s the least money has to hand out candy at the higher earning’s PD on Halloween dressed in Ralphie’s pink bunny costume from A Christmas Story.

One thing is for sure, all three departments appreciate all the support they get from the community and it is clear, they love serving our communities in a variety of positive ways.