“Pickled” Pink for Dine Out for the Cure

Tim Metz and Sean Olson are tickled pink…or, actually, you could say they’re “pickled” pink! The reason: Komen St. Louis’ Dine Out for the Cure®.

As co-owners of Pickles Deli, with locations in the Central West End and Downtown St. Louis, Tim and Sean’s restaurants have participated in Dine Out since the event’s inception five years ago. And they’re already signed up to participate in the 5th Annual Dine Out for the Cure on Thursday, June 13, 2013, when they’ll donate 50% of the day’s proceeds to the local fight against breast cancer.

“There are a handful of organizations we support,” says Tim, “but first and foremost is Komen St. Louis.”

Like so many others in the restaurant business, Tim and Sean have a personal reason to support Komen St. Louis and help end breast cancer forever. Tim’s mother, Mary Ann, and sister, Diane, are both breast cancer survivors, which makes their passion to participate in Dine Out each year that much stronger.

Mary Ann Metz, Tim Metz and Komen St. Louis Volunteer Cynthia Straub at Pickles Deli during Dine Out for the Cure 2012

That passion is clear in everything they do on that Thursday in June. Each year on Dine Out day, the delis are decked out with pink ribbons, pink balloons and pink-shirted employees. In previous years, they’ve also sold pink ribbon cookies, with 100% of the proceeds from cookie sales donated to Komen St. Louis. And, at Pickles’ CWE location, you can’t miss the big, cotton-candy pink Midwest Aerials & Equipment construction boom – dubbed the “Pink Warrior” – that welcomes customers to the deli that day.

As restaurant owners in St. Louis, Tim and Sean are proud to use their resources and expertise to help raise awareness and funds to save lives right here in their own community – like those of Mary Ann and Diane. They encourage all area restaurants to join forces on June 13 and be part of a movement that is transforming the way breast cancer is talked about and treated in St. Louis and around the world.

We’re recruiting restaurants now to participate in our 5th Annual Dine Out for the Cure on Thursday, June 13. Learn more about Dine Out.

90 Days

Guest Writer: Trina Claggett, 2013 Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure Co-Chair

It’s hard to believe in just 90 days, Downtown St. Louis will once again welcome more than 50,000 Komen partners in the local fight against breast cancer for the 15th Annual Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure. In my 7th year as a Komen St. Louis volunteer, I am still amazed and continue to be inspired by the strength, courage and perseverance of breast cancer survivors and those who support them. As Race Co-Chair, I am honored and proud to lead an amazing team and community, and I don’t take this responsibility lightly.

Trina Claggett and Sharon Korn, 2013 Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure Co-Chairs

With one of the largest breast cancer walks and Race for the Cure events in the country, the greater St. Louis community continues to lead the way in the fight against this disease, and your support is unwavering. For 15 years, you’ve made your voice heard, so that we will not give up on this fight and each year we fight harder.

And St. Louis, we hear you. My favorite Komen charge has always been, “Impact. Make One.” Since 1999, Komen St. Louis has awarded more than $19 million in grants to local organizations and nearly $8 million for global breast cancer research, including research in St. Louis. This could not have been done without the tens of thousands of people who register, walk, fundraise, volunteer and fight to end breast cancer forever.

But the fight is not over. For the next 90 days, we will plan, recruit, fundraise to meet the Power of 10 Challenge, volunteer, Dine Out and Zumba – all with the goal of saving lives and ending breast cancer. And on June 15, we, as a community, will come together to CELEBRATE.

100 Days

As we look ahead 100 days to our 15th Annual Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, we’re taking a look back. On June 19, 1999, the inaugural Komen St. Louis Race brought our community together, united for one cause: fighting breast cancer.

Our first Race set the record for inaugural Komen Race attendance, a record that still stands today: 10,257. We’re proud to live and work in a community that cares about helping those most in need.

Enjoy these photo memories from our first Race…

The first Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure – June 19, 1999

Survivor group photo at inaugural Komen St. Louis Race

Honorary Co-Chairs of the 1999 Komen St. Louis Race: Scott and Stephanie Komen, son and daughter of Susan G. Komen

15 Weeks ’til Our 15th Race!

Guest Writer: Sharon Korn, 2013 Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure Co-Chair

Here we are, just 15 weeks away from painting St. Louis pink, celebrating breast cancer survivors and raising funds to fight breast cancer! This will be the 15th time we’ve gathered downtown for the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure – my 7th as a volunteer. The thought of it gives me goosebumps – that moment when, almost magically before our eyes, 50,000 people show up to walk, run and bring hope!

Trina Claggett and Sharon Korn, 2013 Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure Co-Chairs

We started planning the 2013 Race as soon as we caught up on our sleep after last year’s! It really does take a village to make it happen. Eleven committees and hundreds of dedicated volunteers work through thousands of details – from T-shirts and registration to security and porta-potties, and lots of stuff in between.

If you’re reading this blog, you are no doubt committed to Komen St. Louis, and I thank you! Encourage your family and friends to get involved and help us celebrate year 15. Ask them to register for the Race, volunteer and donate. Together, one Race at a time, we really are making a difference!