Think pink

Supplier to the aggregates industry, Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc. (PHIL), is showing its caring side with its Pink Tailgate Initiative. With a goal of raising money for breast cancer research and prevention, the company is donating 5 percent of all proceeds from the sale of pink tailgates through the end of the year. In the same spirit of caring, Pit & Quarry and our parent company North Coast Media LLC (NCM) are also giving back, as a portion of all October advertising revenue will be donated to the American Cancer Society. In addition to the monetary donation, all NCM publications will feature pink logos in October, along with pink ribbons to raise awareness for breast cancer charities.

“Giving back is an important part of the culture here at North Coast Media,” says President Kevin Stoltman. Other recent NCM charitable activities include donations to the American Red Cross, Wounded Warrior Project and more. Additionally, NCM staff members regularly volunteer their time to serve lunches at the Bishop Cosgrove Center in Cleveland, which helps feed those less fortunate.

For Philippi-Hagenbuch, charitable giving and making an impact in the community are core values of the company. PHIL team members sit on a variety of boards. Pat Hagenbuch is a member of the board of directors for the Hult Center for Healthy Living, a community health organization that focuses on cancer programs, and Danette (Hagenbuch) Swank serves on the Foundation Council for the OSF Saint Francis Foundation, which provides advisory leadership for philanthropic efforts such as cancer prevention, research and awareness.

Swank is in a unique position as female leader of a manufacturing business for the mining industry. She has an opportunity to impact a cause that is important to her: the fight for a cure for breast cancer. Swank has already taken part in multiple Susan G. Komen Races for the Cure and Avon Walks for Breast Cancer. Through these experiences, she decided to create the Pink Tailgate Initiative as a way for PHIL to collaborate with its customers to increase breast cancer awareness.

PHIL‘s headquarters in Peoria, Ill., was also the hometown of Susan Komen. The global breast cancer movement started with a promise by Susan’s sister Nancy Brinker that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. Through a series of Race for the Cure events dedicated to raising funds and awareness, the Susan G. Komen Memorial has become the global leader in the fight against breast cancer, having funded more than $2.2 billion in research and life-saving community health programs.

I believe PHIL’s Pink Tailgate Initiative is a great idea. Aggregate producers who purchase pink tailgates will show their community that they care. The idea helps PHIL to help its customers, and, in turn, the Susan G. Komen Memorial. It’s a win-win-win.

I am also proud of our magazine and our parent company for thinking pink and giving back.