Socks

INDIANA - Socks. I kid you not, that was the extent of the request. Socks with a pink ribbon to be specific. Yesterday, I got an email from a lady who wanted a local girls sports team to wear socks with a pink ribbon. A friend of mine was going to purchase said socks, and make sure that the girls had them the entire season. So no cost whatsoever would be assumed by the team or coach.

No possible way, says the coach guy. His basic premise was "I really hate the oversaturation of the pink ribbon and I am sure everyone else on the planet is too, so no way. Period."

Sometimes, we just say and do things without taking a step back. We use our immediate impulses and let our faces snarl without realizing that just one little act might actually be kind of a big thing for someone.

Like the little girl on the team who’s mama died from breast cancer last year - she’s about 10 or so, and it is kind of important to her to wear this pink ribbon on things. Like her little teammate, who’s mama is a breast cancer warrior, too, and is now a passionate advocate for all things helpful to patients. Like the people in this town who have been impacted and might actually like to see these girls showing others that it matters.

Yes, we are probably oversaturated. I don’t think anyone would question that. I think perhaps sometimes, however, we just need to let little girls wear them if they miss their mommies. I wear one every day, because I miss mine. Just a thought.

Color

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA - I work with a lovely gal whose desk is perpetually awash with color. At the moment, her cubicle is festooned with banners, hanging lanterns and streamers, but that’s because she just celebrated her birthday. BUT – take a peek at what she has just hanging around on a daily basis. Color! Lots of it!

My first thought when I saw all of these ribbons was "how apropos." (Ok, that was my second thought. My first was "oooohhh pretty, can I touch them as if I am a 4-year-old with an attention spam problem?" But I digress …) The reason her color is so appropriate is that she lends all of us here at the Foundation a bit of color all the time.

The entire Vera Bradley Product Development team, of which she is a part, create all of those wonderful products that benefit us in so many ways. In addition to the work they do all year, a large number of the team also participates in our annual Classic event by doing volunteer work or getting out there and playing on a team.

Thank you, my wonderful PD team. I love your colorful selves!

Honeysuckle

WORLDWIDE - Since I have been working at Vera Bradley, I have been tuned in to color. It has been a wonderful addition to my formerly monochromatic world and wardrobe. Every year, the fashion world convenes to determine what is the next hot color. I am happy to announce that 2011 is the year of hot pink.

For those of us in the breast cancer community, I think I speak for us all when I say this, “Hey world, embrace your pink! And please, pretty please, give just a wee little bit of the proceeds to cancer research. Thank you!”

The Pinking of Delta

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA - For the record, Delta Airlines is not a sponsor of the Vera Bradley Foundation. Just want to get that out of the way lest you think this is some odd product placement gimmick. :)

So October means I get to meet many, many (many!!!) wonderful people on the road. And, as a sad little counterpoint, leave some sweet little people behind at the same time. I am busy in October with speaking engagements, running all over trying to help get donations and sponsors across the nation.

This means I pick up the pace with my flying this time of year. I find myself most often on Delta flights, and this makes me kind of happy. I see a subtle way for their employees to show those of us that are patients and survivors that they care about us and are thinking about us.

I've found that everyone wearing a hint of pink at Delta will also very readily tell you why they are wearing it, too. From the fuchsia ties to the tidy little scarves - pilots, ticket agents, everyone is willing to take an extra minute and share the stories of their aunts, mamas, sisters, wives, even brothers.

I like this. I like that they don't jam it down your throat and force you to acknowledge or donate - it's simply a quiet and dignified statement as a tribute to someone in their lives that has been affected. I really enjoy the moments that they have shared with me, these Delta folks. I really like their big pink plane, although I've never gotten to ride in it (boooo!).

So thanks, big D, for pinking yourselves. Feel free to consider this an open invite to call me about sponsorship, too, honey. ;). (Seriously. (260) 438-8553. Or just look around. Odds are I'm sitting in one of your seats as you read this.)