PITTSTON — This year, the Paint Pittston Pink effort concluded with a new event — “Hammer out Cancer.”
A ticket for the event meant the opportunity to swing a sledge hammer at a large pink up truck parked behind the bandshell on the Tomato Festival lot.
Mary Kay Jones looked out at the truck as her husband Ned took a sledge hammer and did a bit of damage to its finish.
Jones said she thought the new event was a great opportunity to take out one’s frustration with cancer in a safe way.
Jones’ daughter Lisa Jones Kutra lost her battle with cancer earlier this year and was honored at this year’s event. Jones credited the committee with coming up with new events every year, which meant that the entire effort appealed to more and more people of all ages.
Jeanette Roundtree, decked in a pink wig, took a bit of time to decide if she was going to participate, but when she finally did, she did so with enthusiasm, taking out part of the truck’s front bumper.
As fun as it might be to swing a hammer with all her might while decked in pink, Roundtree said the reasoning behind her participation was to benefit cancer research.
“It’s raising money for cancer research,” she said. “That’s what it was all about.”
Matt Latona, who also participated in the event’s Gentlemen’s Dash and was the event’s top money raiser, took time to pose with his fellow dashers atop the pickup truck.
Latona said the event reflected the community’s commitment to cancer research and to its neighbors.
Event organizer Melissa Latona, who helped man the registration area for the “Hammer for Cancer” event, was pleased with the turnout, with dozens waiting to buy tickets for a chance to wield the hammer.
The event was open to those 12 years of age and over, with those under 18 needing consent from their parents.
The event signaled the close of two weeks of Paint Pittston Pink activities to raise money for cancer research.
In its sixth year, Paint Pittston Pink originally started with a few activities over several days and has expanded to weeks of fund raising activities that appeal to all ages, interests and genders.
To date, the effort has raised nearly a half million dollars for cancer research.
