CF Community Partner Spotlight: Susan G. Komen Michigan

Each year, Crystal Flash supports nearly 200 different organizations and events across the communities where our employee-owners live and work. Being a Michigan-based company, getting involved in our local communities is personal.

As we all know, nonprofit organizations have been significantly impacted by the effects of COVID-19. In-person events and vital fundraising have been interrupted. Adding to this challenge, many nonprofit organizations have seen the pandemic only add to the need and demand for their services.

For years, Crystal Flash has enjoyed a special relationship with Susan G. Komen Michigan. In this edition of the CF Community Partner Spotlight, we’d like to share a little bit more about this relationship and some of the initiatives that we’ve partnered on to help support Komen’s vital programs for breast cancer survivors and fighters.

Susan G. Komen Michigan
Susan G. Komen Michigan was formed in January 2015 with the merging of three, independent Komen affiliates: Komen Southwest Michigan, Komen Mid-Michigan and Komen West Michigan. The three organizations joined forces to maximize the impact on the fight against breast cancer across the state of Michigan.

Komen Michigan is an independent, local non-profit organization that is dedicated to combating breast cancer, saving lives and reducing breast cancer mortality in Michigan. There are barriers that prevent women from getting screened and receiving treatment including financial, cultural and language barriers, transportation issues and a lack of knowledge. With the help of its patient-centered network of nonprofits and community support, Komen is overcoming these barriers through innovative education programs, screenings, diagnostics, transportation, survivor programs and cutting-edge research.

Other than the United States government, Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen Michigan has funded more than $12 million in local breast health programs over the last 20 years, filling the gap for much-needed services across the region.

Komen Michigan’s mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

The Crystal Flash/Susan G. Komen Michigan Partnership
Crystal Flash has three primary areas of focus when it comes to its philanthropic efforts, agriculture/rural life support, family utility assistance and cancer research/assistance. The amazing work of the staff and volunteers of Komen Michigan in the fight against breast cancer simply makes for a natural partnership.

Here are just a few of the recent initiatives that are a part of the Crystal Flash/Komen Michigan partnership:

  • Komen Michigan recently hosted two MORE THAN PINK Walks, one in Mid-Michigan and the other in West Michigan. Due to the pandemic, this year’s walks were fully virtual, and had the appropriate rallying cry of “Walk Where You Are”. Crystal Flash was honored to serve as a Pillar Sponsor of both of these important fundraising events.
  • Perhaps you’ve seen our famous pink propane trucks (which we affectionately refer to as “Pinkys”) traveling down the highway, making a delivery in your neighborhood or town, or participating in a community event or parade. What you may not know is that the employee-owners of Crystal Flash make a donation to Susan G. Komen Michigan for every gallon of fuel that is delivered from these pink propane trucks. That’s thousands and thousands of gallons (and dollars) each year.
  • We’re proud and excited to share that this month our newest Pinky is hitting the road. Based out of our Traverse City plant location, this beautiful new truck (shown here) is the largest Pinky we’ve ever added to our fleet (4,500-gallon capacity), which means even more donations to the cause! Watch for this truck (or one of our other Pinkys) making deliveries in your area or at a parade/community event near you soon.

From participating together in the Annual Grand Rapids Jaycees Santa Parade, to partnering on other fundraising efforts and recognition, the employee owners of Crystal Flash look forward to our continued relationship with, and support of, Susan G. Komen Michigan. To take advantage of some of Komen Michigan’s online resources or to make a donation, please visit komenmichigan.org.

Lastly, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! We would like to remind you about the continued importance of getting screened for breast cancer on a regular basis, as recommended by your doctor.