By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
Seeking to raise awareness for those impacted by childhood cancer, the Go Gold Memorial prepares to host its fifth annual rock painting and memorial walk event. Founder Landrie Anderson joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the nonprofit and share what can be expected from this year’s rendition of the events.
“Go Gold Memorial is a local nonprofit located here in Price, Utah. It started as a service project, something that I was putting on annually just because. And then I decided it needs to be bigger,” explained Anderson of the organization. “And the best way to do that is to become a nonprofit organization. And our purpose is just to spread awareness for childhood cancer, just to let our community come together and unite for something that’s affecting so many people, and we don’t even realize.”
The multiweek event kicks off on Friday, Aug. 28, as the nonprofit hosts the first of four rock painting events. “With the rock painting events, our main goal is to have an event happening in September because that is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. However, Aug. 28 and 29, we’re also having rock painting nights to give people a second chance to come and paint rocks. Everything’s free. All materials are provided. So, just come with a good idea, some inspiration. You can do names, dates, kind words, cute animals, anything happy and supportive.”
Anderson added,” The goal is for different people to show up every year. I want anybody and everybody to come. Anybody is welcome, whether childhood cancer or cancer in general has had any effect or influence on you at all. The important thing here is to let other people in this community know you’re not alone. We’re here for you. We stand for you.”
The rock painting events will be held on Thursday, Aug. 28, and Friday, Aug. 29. Additional painting nights are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25, and Friday, Sept. 26. All events will take place in the Utah State University Extension Office from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Moving to the main event of the memorial walk, Anderson discussed what the purpose behind the walk is: “The reason that we do the walk mostly is to let everybody come together all as one because if you have four different days to come paint rocks, chances are you don’t interact with everybody who’s actively participating, but we all come together, all unite together for the Memorial Walk. And it’s just a great way to get to know people in this community, to make new friends, to support people that you do already know that may have some influence with childhood cancer and just to be together.”
Over the five years she has hosted the event, Anderson has gained several cherished memories from the experience. Sharing one, she stated,” My favorite thing is just getting to meet new people. There are so many families in this community that have gone through such a hard thing, and you would have no idea. They don’t sit and talk about it when they meet you. You would have no idea, and they end up becoming your best friends. I have a little boy. His name is Sammy. Sammy’s my best friend, and I would have never met him if I hadn’t put this on. He’s one of the strongest little boys you’ll ever meet.”
To help ensure that the event remains free and open to the public, the nonprofit is searching for event sponsors.” So, we take monetary donations from anybody and everybody, from any amount. Anything helps, and the goal is just to help keep all of our events, our rock painting and our walk, 100% completely free for every single person that wants to participate.”
She continued,” I have people who say, ‘Can I just give you $10 to help pay for water on the walk day?’ Perfect. It makes a difference. I have people who say, ‘I have two things of paint. Let me give this to you.’ Anything helps. So, if you’re interested, we have Facebook, GoGoldMemorial, Instagram at GoGoldMemorial, as well as an email that you can find on any of our social media and flyers.”
Closing out our conversation, Anderson shared,” I’d love to see you there. I love to meet new people. And don’t feel like you shouldn’t come, you should totally come.”
Go Gold Memorial will begin its fifth annual slate of events with rock painting nights on Thursday, Aug. 28, Friday, Aug. 29, Thursday, Sept. 25 and Friday, Sept. 26 at the Utah State University Extension Office from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Memorial walk will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Price River Trail behind JB’s.