WHEELING — This year’s annual “Think Pink” dinner to promote breast cancer awareness is sold out, but the general public still can purchase tickets to win a week-long vacation being raffled off as part of the event.

“Think Pink” is set to happen from 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 16 at Wheeling Park’s White Palace, and 350 people are expected to attend. Tickets are no longer available, but the “Think Pink” team continues to accept donations for auction and sponsorships.

And the public, meanwhile, still has the opportunity to buy raffle tickets for a week-long VRBO vacation in Marathon, Florida donated by Walnut Street Wealth Advisors.

Raffle tickets cost $20 each, or six for $100. They can be purchased by calling Julie Joseph, chair of the “Think Pink” committee, at 304-312-0307.

The winner of the trip will be drawn during “Think Pink,” and the winner need not be present.

Winners will need to be present, however, for the opportunity to purchase silent auction items at “Think Pink.” A special quilt provided by “Quilt For The Cure” and the Neighborhood Ford Store will be among the items up for auction.

Joseph explained last year she was at Oglebayfest and saw the display of quilts that Quilts For A Cure set up to promote breast cancer awareness. The quilts feature squares of material donated by the public at events like Oglebayfest that contain inspirational sayings and art meant to comfort breast cancer survivors.

Joseph asked those at the display last year if they could display the quilts at “Think Pink.” They told her that wasn’t possible, but they could donate a quilt to be auctioned off at the 2025 event.

The group was set up again at Oglebayfest over the weekend, and a quilt was presented to Joseph for auction at this year’s “Think Pink.”

Quilt For A Cure is based in Pittsburgh, and the quilt squares are crafted into a quilt by Fort Henry Piecemakers – a local quilting organization.

There will be 75-100 other items up for auction at “Think Pink.” Among them, local artist Rachel Goodman will be painting a large art piece live at the event that will be auctioned at the end of the night.

Joseph reports musicians Libby Adams and Steve Boles have donated their time and there will be live music during “Think Pink.”

As always, the highlight of the “Think Pink” dinner will be vegetable lasagne made from the recipe of Wheeling resident Janie Altmeyer. Altmeyer and some friends got together and formed the “Think Pink” organization to raise money for breast cancer testing in the state of West Virginia.

The annual dinner is now always in her memory.

Funds raised through “Think Pink” are donated locally to help those in the tri-state area with breast cancer to purchase needed items they might otherwise not be able to afford. These include wigs, gas to get to treatment appointments, prescriptions and payment for medical care not covered by insurance.