{"id":336,"date":"2009-10-14T20:37:29","date_gmt":"2009-10-14T20:37:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/catchingfireflies.com\/blog\/?p=336"},"modified":"2009-10-14T20:37:29","modified_gmt":"2009-10-14T20:37:29","slug":"woodward-talk-feature-101409","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.catchingfirefliesgifts.com\/blog\/2009\/10\/woodward-talk-feature-101409\/","title":{"rendered":"Woodward Talk Feature 10.14.09"},"content":{"rendered":"

Painting The Town Pink<\/a> – Jeremy Selweski<\/p>\n

\"Breast<\/a> <\/p>\n

BERKLEY
\n– As October approached, April McCrumb knew she wanted to show her
\nsupport for all those stricken by breast cancer, but she really sprung
\ninto action once she discovered how closely it hit to home.
\nWhen McCrumb, owner of the whimsical Berkley gift shop Catching<\/a> <\/a>Fireflies<\/a>,
\nasked her staff members if they knew anyone who has been affected by
\nthe deadly disease, nearly everybody was able to name a close friend or
\nfamily member.<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n


\nIn response, McCrumb decided to launch a new campaign in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout October, Catching<\/strong> Fireflies<\/strong> is giving out a free "Positivity" bracelet<\/a> to any woman or man whose life has been touched by breast cancer.
<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

In return, all McCrumb asks is that the customers provide some
\nencouraging words online at www.shareyourpositivity.org<\/a>, because as
\nshe pointed out, optimism is contagious. "If you don't have hope or
\npositivity in dire situations, life can be pretty sad," McCrumb said.
\n"These bracelets are a subtle reminder to people that staying positive
\nis half the battle, because it's really easy to let negativity take
\ncontrol." In addition, McCrumb and her staff put together an uplifting
\nselection of pink-ribbon-themed items including art pieces,
\ninspirational quote books, flying wish paper, journals and soap. Most
\nof the products are intended for women who have been affected by breast
\ncancer.
<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

"It can be hard to find gifts to give people beyond just kind words," McCrumb explained.
<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

"Hopefully, with these items, people can express their feelings for
\nloved ones going through hard times and help lift their spirits."
\nMcCrumb also wanted to find a local nonprofit group that is helping in
\nthe fight against breast cancer. She soon discovered the Bloomfield
\nHills-based organization the Pink Fund<\/a> and formed a partnership in
\nwhich 20 percent of all pink-ribbon proceeds at Catching<\/strong> Fireflies<\/strong> will go toward providing financial aid for women and men suffering from the disease.
<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

"Catching<\/strong> Fireflies<\/strong>
\nis doing a really great thing," said Molly MacDonald, founder and
\npresident of the Pink Fund. "I thought that April's mission to support
\nus over the whole year and not just in October was very kind and
\ngenerous.
<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

We're delighted to work with her on this." The Pink Fund was
\nestablished in October 2006, borne out of MacDonald's own personal
\nexperiences with breast cancer and the financial difficulties that
\nfollowed.
<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

To help others who are facing similar struggles, the Pink Fund provides
\nshort-term monetary support for breast cancer patients, who often
\ncannot work while they undergo expensive medical treatment and a long
\nrecovery process.
<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

"We just want to help people out for a brief period, so they can resume
\ntheir normal life," Mac-Donald explained. "We try to fill in the gaps
\nnot covered by other nonprofits in the breast cancer world. When you
\ntalk to these recipients and you hear the gratitude in their voice, you
\nknow that you've done an amazing thing for them." McCrumb was thrilled
\nto be a part of that endeavor, and she wanted to further show her
\nappreciation for those raising money for the cause. After contacting
\nthe American Cancer Society, she decided to team up with organizers
\nfrom its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer<\/a> event to donate 30
\n"Friends for Life" picture frames<\/a> to the top fundraising team members
\nduring the Oct. 10 walk at Belle Isle.
<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

Together, all these efforts at Catching<\/strong> Fireflies<\/strong> illustrate the store's goal this October and year round:to paint the town pink with positivity.
<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

"Our store specializes in making days brighter," McCrumb said, "so this
\nfit right in line with what we're all about. We're trying to be
\nproactive in helping people who are struggling through this disease." Catching<\/strong> Fireflies<\/strong> is located at 3117 W. 12 Mile Road in downtown Berkley. For more information, call (248) 336-2030 or visit www.catching<\/strong> fireflies<\/strong>.com.<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n