Madeira to be Pretty in Pink to Benefit Breast Cancer Research

Written by Jeanne Houck | Originally posted on Cincinnati.com

MADEIRA – Madeira businesswoman Liz Hilberg can picture it now: The limbs of trees up and down Miami Avenue blossoming in pink.

It’s not flowers that Hilberg of Monkee’s of Madeira is imagining hanging from branches during the month of October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It is pink ribbons, each one representing both a specific woman who has been touched by cancer and a $2 donation to the American Cancer Society to be used for breast cancer research.

Hilberg, a member of the Madeira Chamber of Commerce, came up with the fundraising idea and pitched it to the chamber, which agreed to support it.

“Participating merchants will ask customers to donate $2 to the American Cancer Society in exchange for a ribbon, on which they will write the name of a woman they know who has, in any way, been affected by cancer,” said Hilberg of Monkee’s of Madeira, a boutique at 6928 Miami Ave. that sells women’s clothing, shoes and accessories.

“At the end of each day, we ask that the merchants tie those ribbons to the trees lining Miami Avenue.

“At the end of the month, we’ll collect all of the donations to send in on behalf of our community,” Hilberg said.

Steve Shaw, president of the Madeira Chamber of Commerce, thinks Hilberg is on to something good.

“It is a fantastic idea that we should consider repeating in the future, perhaps for other entities,” Shaw said.

The chamber of commerce has ordered 10 rolls of pink ribbon and is wondering whether more will be needed.

Madeira businesses interested in participating are asked to contact Hilberg at 271-0038 orliz@monkeesofmadeira.com.

“It will be beautiful once the trees are full of ribbon and I think it will be a great way for Madeira shops to show their support of a charity – and will hopefully bring people into our shops wanting to know what the ribbons are all about,” Hilberg said.