Shop 'Til You Drop at "Paint Chelsea Pink" Fundraiser

The inaugural Paint Chelsea Pink fundraiser is set to kick-off on Saturday.

The event features dozens of shops and restaurants in downtown Chelsea that will be open from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. to support local breast cancer programs.

"One-hundred percent of the tickets we sell go to Susan G. Komen Mid-Michigan," said Lt. Scott Basar of the Chelsea Area Fire Authority (CAFA).

Basar equated the event to "a big party" in downtown Chelsea with live music, raffle prizes, food and beverages. 

Visitors can purchase $25 passports online, which are cards that can be punched at any of the 95 participating businesses throughout the day to qualify for the evening raffle, Basar said.

"You have to go to 15 stores, restaurants, or coffee shops to enter the raffle," he said.

Raffle prizes include trips to Traverse City wineries, dinner packages, hotel packages, restaurant coupons, trips to water parks like Splash Universe in Dundee, and gift baskets of locally donated items.

Basar said he hopes to see people spending the day walking and shopping in the pink-covered town. 

"All of the businesses are involved, some from outside of town, to bring life to the city itself," he said. 

Chris Pearson, executive director of Susan G. Komen Mid-Michigan, said this is the first time the nonprofit is working with CAFA for a large-scale fundraiser.

Proceeds will benefit education programs, free mammograms, support services and wellness retreats for breast cancer survivors and diagnostic services for people with no insurance, she said.

"Seventy-five percent (of proceeds) goes back out to the community we serve," Pearson said. 

She said representatives will be available at Paint Chelsea Pink to talk about programs available for local residents.

"I love seeing this entire community come together," she said. "It kind of gives me goosebumps."

Paint Chelsea Pink takes place Sept. 29 from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. along Main Street. For more information, visit www.paintchelseapink.org/.