Pink Tulip Project, Bangor, Maine
A few years ago, Ann Marie Orr, hosted a luncheon in her home to introduce the Pink Tulip Project to Bangor Business Women. The luncheon was tasty and fun to network, but the purpose was to raise awareness about breast cancer. Robin Whitten, a breast cancer survivor shared her vision of the pink tulip project that she founded in 2006. After being diagnosed, Robin planted tulips in the fall with the promise to herself she would see them bloom in the spring. Since then, Robin took that promise and passed it around to many communities in Maine including ours in Bangor. We organized high schools, businesses, the University of Maine in Orono to support the fundraising effort in the Bangor Region. These funds directly benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation.
Last Fall, we can proudly report that we have more than 70 gardens statewide and there were 30,000 bulbs reserved and more than $120,000 raised! Bangor alone has 5 community gardens and more than 3,000 bulbs. Many private homeowners city and region wide have also done there part! The pink tulips are everywhere.
So why pink tulips?
The symbolism is hope.
After a Maine winter, when spring arrives, the pink tulip shows us that from a small bulb, (which has a donation of $1.00) we all can help in finding a cure. It is pretty stunning when you come around a corner and there is a whole garden of PINK beauty greeting you. And if you have or had breast cancer, or are close to someone that has, it reminds us of the hope that this research contribution brings.
Join me, in supporting the Maine Cancer Foundation and the Pink Tulip Project) by creating a Garden Team or by donating to this very important project.
Watch Ann Marie’s message on our YouTUBE Channel! We have one video with her working and one with her promoting the project!
