Courtesy photo Members of the Think Pink planning committee include (from left): front row — Jenna Hallinan, Ashley Burgmeier, Debbie Brandimarte, Renee Parowski and Kit Benzel; middle row — Erin Myers, Michelle Dodson, Barbara Savino and Jana Sidler; back row — Chantel Ventura, Jim Cayce, Peggy Smith, Lindsey Kranich, Jen Daniels, Danielle Parowski, Alanna Parsons and Larry Savino. Other members of the committee are Jan Andrews, Irina Aryev, Tim Balconi, Elizabeth Benjamin, Maureen Calandra, Jessica Campbell, Rossann Clark, Nancy Devorris, Lauren Drost, Stacy Fiore, Glenda Forosisky, Sheila Frederick, Sandy Gerhart, Paige Gibson, Ieva Grimm, Sandie Hampton, Kathy Henderson, Cynthia Hershey, Barbara Hollander (SAMA-Altoona coordinator), Kim Irwin, Rosemary Jorden-Best, Chelsea Kerr, Kashana Kopac, Laurel Lyons, Cindy McKibbin, Claudia Montero-Pequignot, Shannon Morris, Barb O’Brien, Andrea Okonak, Michelle Passarello, Amy Poon, Judi Seltzer, Khara Sheehan, Jane Sheffield, Dana Sky, Ingrid Stevens, Barbara Thaler, Laura Wray and Pat Zeigler.

Event moves to Blairmont this year

The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona’s Think Pink is on the move. For the first time in its 16-year history, the annual fundraiser will take place at The Blairmont Club in Hollidaysburg.

The club’s traditional ambience will combine with Think Pink’s metropolitan flair to create an evening of elegance, electricity and excitement. Chairing this year’s event are Jen Daniels of Altoona and Lindsey Kranich of Hollidaysburg.

Think Pink is scheduled for Nov. 2 and begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception and live music by acoustic artist Maggie Park.

Dinner stations will follow, prepared by The Blairmont Club’s chefs. A highlight of this year’s event is a live performance by The Flying Ivories.

A dueling pianos group out of the Boston/New York/

Philadelphia area with all-request, rock and roll singalong performances.

From Billy Joel to Aretha Franklin, from Sinatra to Metallica, from Garth Brooks to Madonna, The Flying Ivories are game to tackle music from any genre and, as the guests control the set list, no two shows are ever the same.

A silent auction will offer original artwork and exciting packages including beauty treatments, personal training sessions and dining experiences.

The museum also will sell raffle tickets for an opportunity to win a 50-inch Samsung Smart TV, a Sue Severson painting and a limited-edition Thomas Kinkade canvas. Tickets are $20, and each ticket provides three chances to win.

SAMA’s Think Pink is one of the museum’s chief fundraisers and provides critical support to the museum and its world-class exhibitions and award-winning education programs.

Additionally, Think Pink raises funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

Since 2013, SAMA has donated more than $15,000 to various treatment programs and educational initiatives through Think Pink.

This year, the museum is partnering with UPMC Altoona’s Magee-Women’s Specialty Center and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

Tim Balconi, president of UPMC Altoona Foundation, said funds raised through Think Pink will benefit several programs and will have tangible effects in the community.

“Think Pink will provide local doctors and nurses funds they can use to enhance the patient treatment and care experience locally,” he said. “The money will go directly to help patients receiving radiation, chemotherapy or surgical treatments for breast cancer. It will also help fund our Mammography Screening Days. No appointment needed, walk-in screenings will be offered to anyone eligible for a mammogram. The UPMC Altoona Foundation encourages its many supporters to attend Think Pink.”

SAMA-Altoona Site Coordina-tor Barbara Hollander said the museum looks forward to working with its new partners for this year’s event.

“SAMA is pleased to collaborate with UPMC Altoona’s Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Women’s Specialty Center for Think Pink. Through this partnership, we are able to help provide high-level treatment and access to specialty services,” she said.

SAMA-Altoona’s Think Pink is sponsored by Michelle and Steve Passarello and Passarello Law Offices.

The event will be held at The Blairmont Club, 265 Larch St., Hollidaysburg, on Nov. 2.

Tickets are $125 per person.

Reservations are requested by Oct. 29 and can be made online at www.sama-art.org or by contacting the museum at 946-4464 or altoona@sama-art.org.

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available.