Pink Ribbon of the Month, December: Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

As winter bears down, it's nice to think back to the warm, relaxing and days of summer... especially when the memories evoke a $34,500+ contribution to our fight against breast cancer! For this respite from winter and the amazing fundraising, we thank Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, and proudly recognize them with our December Pink Ribbon.


 

As you'll soon learn, the achievements of the Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom team are unique not only in their fundraising, but also in all that was invested on many levels for a first-ever initiative. Their story shows that, with a little creativity, smart uses of the resources at hand and a belief in the Komen Promise, any group can give back to their community in a substantial way.

 

 

Happiness is... Finding a Cure. Right at the start, the Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom campaign demonstrated that the team at the park understood the darkness breast cancer inflicts on our world, and the importance of making sure those touched by, and fighting to end, the disease never loose a sense of hope and happiness along their journeys.

 

The giant pink duck with the Komen ribbon - towering over 15 feet tall at the park's main midway - also did a great deal to radiate that hope and happiness this July and August! (seen here with Marlene A. Lally, Volunteer Coordinator and Operations Manager for the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate). The campaign ran from July 18 to August 14, and raised funds through a $1 donation by Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom for every specially purchased online ticket to the park, the encouragement of on-site and online donations, and the incredible $5 adopt-a-duck raffle for a grand-prize 46" HDTV.

 

Perhaps more than anything else, the adopt-a-duck component showed Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom's thinking-out-side-the-box commitment; and it ended up being an extraordinary awareness vehicle... as hundreds of pink rubber "ducklings" floated around their 15-foot high 'mama duck' on the main midway. Hardly anyone could enter the park without remembering the importance of breast cancer awareness, and, of course, smiling at the realization that there is very real, very enormous, happiness to be in had in our power over the disease.

 

On August 17, The Affiliate, members of the Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom family and park-goers gathered for a check presentation and to see the winning pink rubber duck plucked from her pond. Overall, more than 1,000 guests participated in the campaign, and the check was presented for a grand total of $34,568.

 

 

"On their application for the fundraiser, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom stated a goal of $25,000... we knew right then and there this team was serious about making a substantial impact in the breast cancer movement," said Elaine I. Grobman, CEO of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate. "The fact that they achieved beyond that demonstrates more than commitment... more than creative ideas. It shows the depth of PASSION for ending this disease that makes Komen a leader in the fight. We are able to do all we do because of exceptional activists like Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom - and we are truly grateful and blessed to have them in our family."

 

 

"Dorney Park is proud and excited for this opportunity to contribute to a cause that has changed lives for women world-wide," said Jason McClure - Vice President and General Manager of Dorney Park. "Giving back to our communities is an important part of being a good neighbor and this partnership will have a direct positive impact on the communities where our guests live and work. We look forward to having our guests come out to ride with pride for Susan G. Komen for the Cure."

We are proud to award Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom our Pink Ribbon of the Month for an effort that raised enough money to enrich and save many lives... for one that embraced all generations in the hope of the cures... and for one that allowed entire communities to feel true happiness despite breast cancer being in our lives.

 

REMEMBER TO LOOK FOR MORE exciting Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom news this winter in relation to the 2012 Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure!