For many schools that host, Dig Pink® is an event with long-running traditions. It might be a certain slogan, a raffle, or gym decorations, but a tradition usually emerges. Traditions can be great ways to make an annual event memorable. It’s also convenient for organizers to follow a template that has worked in the past.

But every once in a while, you have to mix things up and try something new. For the Shrewsbury High School Colonials in Massachusetts, the recipe for Dig Pink organizing and fundraising has remained flexible. The only constant? Success. 

Breaking Down The Recipe for Shrewsbury

This year, the team tried a few new things:

The addition of a “teachers versus students” match was a success in more ways than one. The school community raised $142 with that game alone as part of the Dig Pink festivities. The new feature was popular and worked to get more people within the school involved and excited about the event. Co-organizer Jodi Darby shared that “one of the teachers was so excited to participate she asked if they could make team shirts for next year!” Darby added that next year’s event will hopefully also include a “firefighters versus police officers” game.

Another element this year was raffle items. Local businesses in Shrewsbury and the surrounding areas generously provided donations to be included in the raffle. Businesses that contributed include Tavern in the Square, Marathon Sports, Sneakerama, The White Cottage and Essentials Day Spa. Additionally, local professional sports photographer David Sheridan generously donated his time to take photos of the game. Taking the extra step to reach out to business owners in the area gives the larger community more of a chance to get involved in Dig Pink.

While the team doesn’t have any specifically structured traditions for their event, they continue to have a bake sale during the match. The team also plays in pink jerseys and decorates the gymnasium. As the popular saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

A Little Dig Pink Background

Shrewsbury High School has been hosting “Colonials For A Cure” Dig Pink events since 2012, and this year was no different. The Colonials’ girl’s volleyball team, led by coach Rich Harrington, was able to fundraise $2,509 at this year’s event. Over the years, Shrewsbury has raised an impressive $16,587 for Side-Out. Shrewsbury’s successes prove that sometimes it’s okay to try new things, especially when it’s for a good cause. These funds benefit The Side-Out Foundation’s cutting-edge stage IV breast cancer research.

For Jodi Darby, Dig Pink also has personal significance, especially when it comes to her local community. “This initiative is close to my heart though as l am an oncology nurse in a local hospital,” Darby shared. Dig Pink at Shrewsbury proves that anyone can host for a good cause, even if not directly affected. The lesson to be learned from Shrewsbury High School’s Dig Pink event is to be open. It’s easy to fall into old traditions and habits when hosting an event of this nature, but organizers like Jodi Darby and teams like Shrewsbury provide a great example of how flexibility and community involvement can be the key to achieving goals. Of course, if something works, it’s kept. As the popular saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But change is welcomed and embraced.

The lesson to be learned from Shrewsbury High School’s Dig Pink event is to be open. It’s easy to fall into old traditions and habits when hosting an event of this nature, but organizers like Jodi Darby and teams like Shrewsbury provide a great example of how flexibility and community involvement can be the key to achieving goals. Of course, if something works, it’s kept. As the popular saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But change is welcomed and embraced.

The Takeaway?

This school’s volleyball program has found a way to involve its student-athletes, school community, and local businesses. The format might change, but the message at the heart of the event stays the same.

Dig Pink at Shrewsbury High School shows students that there are many paths to success and that it’s okay to experiment with what works best.