Story submitted by guest blogger Wendy Kerschner.

After having a baby and deciding to return to a professional office setting, I realized my wardrobe needed to be edited. I was ready to donate some clothes to Goodwill. As I looked through my closet and questioned what to keep and what to part with, the decisions were too hard to make on my own. What I really needed was honest advice from my friends.

I called five of my closest friends and asked them to come over to my house on a Friday evening and bring 5-7 items of clothing from their own closets. I told them to bring their own clothes that were questionable. I named it the “Yes, No or Go Party.” Each person would try on their items and the other women would give the item one of three votes: YES, NO or GO!

It was a great night! Each guest showcased her clothes by strutting in front of the friendly panel. We also enjoyed wine and ate snacks (Caution: friend’s opinions are even more honest with wine). The night was a huge hit, filled with outbursts of laughter and newly made memories. The best part was that we successfully edited our own wardrobes while gathering two huge bags of clothing to donate to Goodwill. I’ve hosted two YES, NO or GO parties since the original and encourage you to have your own party!

We are proud of Tonya and women just like her for their strength and determination in being a breast cancer survivor.

Go PINK!

Here’s a few Q&A’s with Tonya:

Why do you think fashion and breast cancer awareness tie together? 

It’s a very easy way to show your support and is highly recognizable. I especially love all the different pieces of specialty jewelry that some stores sell and donate money to breast cancer awareness with each purchase.

Do you have a favorite statement piece that you like to wear (clothes or jewelry)?

I have a shirt that I love that says, “I Fight Like a Girl.” I bust it out every October and wear it with pride, because it states the truth! My son also has a shirt that says “Real Men Wear Pink” and he sports it during October as well!

What does PINK POWER mean to you? 

For me, it means many things, honor, unity, pride, and most importantly, it represents a commitment to saving lives!

Last year we ran this blog post in October and we decided to post it again, because this October is no different as our employee Tonya Hollinger rocks her pink style during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are proud of Tonya and women just like her for their strength and determination in being a breast cancer survivor. Go PINK!

This October, Goodwill Keystone Area employee Tonya Hollinger rocks her pink hair, pink glittery nails, pink jewelry and clothes to celebrate three years of recovering from breast cancer.

“Pink is the quintessential female color,” says Margaret Welch, director of the Color Association of the United States. And for breast cancer patients and survivors, pink is a happy place – a place of hope, healing, femininity and pride.

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, pink becomes a sign of solidarity for women and families fighting this terrible disease. Pink has become a sort of non-verbal signal sent out to breast cancer patients saying, “I support you, and I’ve got your back.”

Men wear pink ties, shirts or lapel pins. NFL players wear pink socks, wristbands, and shoes. Women dye their hair, paint their nails, and wear pink clothing and accessories.

It’s wearing pink with a purpose…it’s here, it’s now and it’s Goodwill!

This month, join Tonya and others in wearing pink to show your support and solidarity in the fight against breast cancer. Visit your local Goodwill store and find your pop of pink. Wear it with purpose and wear it with pride.

And one more thing, last year Tonya added a permanent accessory…a pink “Hope” tattoo.

Accessories and clothing were taken from the racks of the Goodwill stores in Bensalem, PA and Lancaster PA-Lincoln Hwy E. Thank you, managers and staff!

Special thanks to Tonya Hollinger for sharing her story with us.

Link to the History of the Pink Ribbon.