Owensboro Businesses Invited to Paint the Town Pink This October

This October, Owensboro businesses and community members are being invited to bring a wave of pink to the city while supporting local cancer patients and their families.

Paint the Town Pink, presented by Owensboro Health Foundation and Downtown Owensboro, is a new community-wide initiative created as an extension of the Foundation's annual Give Cancer the Boot fundraiser.

Now entering its third year, Give Cancer the Boot has experienced tremendous growth since launching in 2024. The event has outgrown its previous location and will move to the Owensboro Convention Center for the first time this November.

As the event continues to grow, Foundation leaders saw an opportunity to bring the entire community into the mission throughout the month of October.

How Owensboro Businesses Can Get Involved

Through Paint the Town Pink, businesses across Owensboro can become official "Pink Partners" by hosting a fundraising promotion of their choice throughout October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Businesses can contribute a percentage of sales, offer a round-up campaign, donate proceeds from a special item or create another fundraising effort that works best for their customers and operations.

The goal is to create a citywide show of support while raising awareness and funds for local cancer services.

"Cancer impacts nearly every family in some way," said Jaimie Moore, Coordinator of Annual Giving & Special Events for Owensboro Health Foundation. "As Give Cancer the Boot has continued to grow, we saw an opportunity to bring the entire community into the mission in a very visible way. Paint the Town Pink allows businesses, employees, customers and visitors to be part of this incredible event. Together, we can show local patients and families that the whole city of Owensboro stands with them."

For Moore, the initiative is about more than fundraising.

"With Give Cancer the Boot moving to the Convention Center, we wanted to create something that extended beyond a single evening," Moore said. "Our hope is that people will see pink throughout the community and be reminded that they can play a part in supporting local patients and the cancer services that impact families right here at home."

Owensboro Health

What Pink Partners Receive

Participating Pink Partner businesses will receive promotional materials, social media recognition, inclusion on the event website and two complimentary tickets to Give Cancer the Boot.

The initiative also gives residents another reason to shop local while supporting a cause that directly benefits people in the community.

According to Chad Hart, Director of Philanthropy for Owensboro Health Foundation, Paint the Town Pink is a natural extension of an event that has quickly become a community tradition.

"Since the beginning, Give Cancer the Boot has been about rallying our community around patients and families facing cancer," Hart said. "Every dollar raised helps strengthen cancer services close to home, reducing barriers and helping ensure patients can receive care near their support systems. Paint the Town Pink takes that spirit of community support beyond the event itself and gives businesses and residents another way to make a difference."

Throughout October, residents are encouraged to visit participating Pink Partner businesses, support their fundraising efforts and follow Owensboro Health Foundation on social media for business spotlights, campaign updates and stories highlighting the impact of local philanthropy.

Owensboro Health

Give Cancer the Boot Returns November 14

After spending October Painting the Town Pink, the community will have another opportunity to come together at Give Cancer the Boot on November 14 at the Owensboro Convention Center.

The event was started by breast cancer survivor Krista Thompson and her family and has continued to grow into a major community fundraiser.

This year's event will feature live music from Grand Ole Opry performer Cam Thompson, an opening performance by local artist Annalee Yager and live painting by acclaimed Owensboro artist Aaron Kizer.

Proceeds benefit patients and families of Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center, helping local individuals facing cancer access resources and support close to home.

Owensboro Health

How to Paint the Town Pink

Businesses interested in participating can register to become an official Pink Partner. Whether it's a simple round-up campaign, a special promotion or a creative fundraising idea, businesses of all types can find a way to participate.

Community members can help, too, simply by visiting participating businesses throughout October and supporting their fundraising efforts.

It's a month-long opportunity for Owensboro to show local cancer patients and their families that they don't have to face it alone.

For more information about Paint the Town Pink, visit OwensboroHealth.org/pink.

For information about Give Cancer the Boot, visit OwensboroHealth.org/gctb.