Staff members in the Long Beach Public Schools united for a common cause on Oct. 11, when a districtwide Pink Out signified the Long Beach Classroom Teachers Association’s ongoing efforts to support the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign. By the end of the month, the group of educators representing all seven buildings will have collectively raised more than $25,000 over five years to aid the fight against cancer. 

Each school’s participants have a different way of fundraising, and together they bring awareness to the Making Strides mission on the annual Pink Out day by wearing either the color pink or special Pink Out shirts. Every year as a whole, Long Beach staff members garner approximately $5,000 in donations that go to breast cancer research as well as treatment for patients.  

“It’s important to us to give back and rally for a great cause,” said Long Beach High School guidance counselor Amy Leder. “As educators, we promote good citizenship and community service. This is a way for us to model that behavior.” 

Many of those involved will team up again on Oct. 20 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Jones Beach.