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 The story begins back in 2002. On a September day, the city of
Lincoln, Main Street Lincoln, and Avon Cosmetics Company joined
forces to raise awareness of women’s cancer. The day included
activities on the Logan County Courthouse Square and lawn, and the
dedication of a special tree at the Lincoln Depot.
On that day, a pink ribbon fundraiser took place. The ribbons sold
were then hung on a Rose of Sharon bush that was planted at the
Depot. At the base of the bush, a plaque was placed to commemorate
the event.
Fast forward now to the summer of 2014. When the city acquired the
Lincoln Deport property, one of the first orders of business was to
clean up the dead shrubbery and small brush around the building. The
Lincoln Street Department set about the task. One of the dead bushes
they removed was that Rose of Sharon from 2002, and under the bush
they found the plaque.
On Wednesday, Mayor Keith Snyder said that when the street
department shared their find the city decided to put the plaque away
and look for a time and place to bring it back out for the
community.
In the fall of 2014, as the Pulaski Street project was coming to an
end, trees were planted. When finished, Snyder said there was a tree
left over, and it was planted in the triangular green space at
Delavan, Water, and Union Streets. Snyder said that noting it was
World Cancer Day, the decision was made to reset the plaque at the
base of the tree planted last fall.
Snyder commented, “We are pleased the City found a way to remember
not only that first crusade back in 2002, but all the individuals
who have fought and are fighting a battle with breast cancer. This
tree commemorates that struggle and will stand as a tribute to those
individuals and families who have stood strong to fight this
disease. We’re pleased to have this event on World Cancer Day, a day
when people around the world celebrate the victories being won each
and every day against this scourge.”
Among those present for the dedication was Ward 3 Alderman Todd
Mourning. In his professional life, Mourning is a part of the
Physical Therapy Department of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. He
had invited two individuals from the hospital to join the group for
the dedication. He first introduced Amy Knox, a
physical therapist at the hospital and the Logan County
representative on the Regional Cancer Partnership out of
Springfield. Representation in that partnership gives ALMH greater
opportunities for grants for local programs.
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Kelly Bailey and
Amy Knox The second guest was Kelley Bailey, the
manager of radiology at the hospital. Mourning said radiology has a
lot to do with the diagnoses and treatment of all kinds of cancer.
Mourning also sent out an invitation to all organizations within the
city to become a part of this new special location in Lincoln. He
noted that it was a perfect spot with a lot of traffic, and he noted
the nice Veteran’s Memorial Park just down the street. He said this
new space could be used, in the same way, to create something nice
for the city.
Mourning said, “We would welcome any similar organization planting
their own tree or bush of hope here as a way to refresh this space.
Simply contact an alderman, the mayor, or the city administrator to
work out the details.”
Others who were present for the dedication included Ward 4 Alderman
Jeff Hoinacki, city administrator, Clay Johnson; Kathy Vinyard of
the city with husband Bill, and Walt Landers with Russell Wright of
the city street department.
As their last act for the day, Landers joined Hoinacki, Snyder, and
Mourning beside the new tree for a photo op of the Tree City USA
banner. The city of Lincoln maintains a status of Tree City USA
through the Arbor Day Foundation. The foundation assists the city
financially with its forestry department through grants. As a part
of the grant agreement with Lincoln, the city is required to plant
trees annually documenting the occasion with the banner.
 LDN
articles posted September 18, 2002
Main Street Lincoln, Avon sponsor breast cancer crusade
Pink Line Project proclamation
[Nila Smith] |
