Goree’s Furniture raises breast cancer awareness with pink truck
By Anna-Claire Terry
Staff Reporter
Goree’s Furniture is hitting the streets of Opelika in a hot pink 20-foot box truck to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Jimmy Goree, owner, said he was motivated to start this project because he cannot think of a single family that has not been affected by cancer in some way. The truck will be parked at the furniture store, different places in town or at several events. Goree is asking for a donation of any size, and people can sign the truck in honor or memory of those who have been victims of any kind of cancer.
“I always do something for the month of October, but I’ve never gone this big with it. I feel like we could all fight a little harder,” he said. The idea started as an in-store fundraiser. “While talking to my wife, I said ‘Why don’t we just paint the whole truck pink?’”
According to Goree, donations can be 50 cents to $50,000. “I don’t care if I have to get in the truck and go pick up a dollar and 50 cent donation and let them sign the truck – I’ll do it,” he said. Donations can also be taken over the phone or mailed in.
The goal is to have the truck completely covered with signatures and to collect $10,000 in donations by the end of the month.
Goree and his wife Pam said a large inspiration for taking their usual breast cancer awareness activities to the next level is the one-year anniversary of the loss of their sister-in-law, Deila Goree, to the disease.
One hundred percent of donations will go to the American Cancer Society. “We don’t keep a dime,” Goree said. He added that he and his staff want to make a strong appearance and spread awareness as much as possible.
The staff at Goree’s Furniture is also “thinking pink” with promotions to benefit the American Cancer Society. For a $25 donation, customers receive a free delivery. A $75 donation is worth a free delivery and 10 percent off your purchase.
Goree said he could not have pulled off the fundraiser without the support of his wife and staff. He added that recognition of Chuck and Sandy Hill a Tiger Paint and Body is in order for their generosity and painting the truck free of charge.
“One word we hate to hear is ‘cancer,’ so we should all team up and fight for a cure,” Goree said.
Goree’s Furniture encourages those hosting cancer awareness events to give them a call so the truck can be present. For more information about having the truck at an event or making a donation, call 742-0607 or visit the Goree’s Furniture Facebook page.