Vessel painted to raise awareness for cancer research
JEFFERSONVILLE — With the chop of some ropes and a few second slide, a symbol of awareness hit the Ohio River on Thursday afternoon.
Jeffboat, American Commercial Lines Inc.’s manufacturing segment, launched a dry-hopper, covered barge for Ceres Barge Lines that was painted a distinctive pink. (Watch the video here://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-yKeHsfZmU)
“The color pink is the most recognizable color directly related to the fight to defeat cancer,” said Mark Fletcher, an owner of Ceres Barge Lines.
The idea to paint the barge pink, christened the “Big Hope 1,” was an idea of one of the company’s employees, Fletcher said. He added that he was initially hesitant to take on the project, but through an agreement by Jeffboat, along with the Sherwin-Williams Co., which donated 200 gallons of the pink paint, the barge was launched.
“This is kind of a way we decided to pay it forward and give back something that will hopefully benefit a whole lot of people,” he said.
Fletcher and Mark Mestemacher, a co-owner of Ceres Barge Lines, also pledged to donate a percentage of the barge’s net earnings each year to cancer research for at least five years.
In addition, Jeffboat has raised more than $1,600 to give toward cancer research.
“I just think it’s important what they’re doing in terms of raising awareness for all types of cancer and the research that goes into it,” said Megan Hedgepath, 29, who is a cancer survivor. “People don’t know how much it affects you and the people around you.”
Hedgepath was diagnosed with stage two non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma two years ago and is the daughter of a Ceres Barge employee. She along with Charlette Threlkeld, a former New Orleans port director and cancer survivor, and Kristen Nicholson, Jeffboat’s assistant controller and a cancer survivor, were the guests of honor and cut the ropes to launch the barge.
“I think the name alone is perfect for it,” Hedgepath said of the barge. “You can battle through it and survive.”
But the first and most obvious impression is the barge’s color.
“They’re going to know [what it stands for]; no question,” said Michael Eckart, business development manager with Sherwin-Williams.
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H & B Specialties, Inc, Pleasant Plains, IL was the first customer to load corn on this barge on May 21, 2012. Dan Heffelmire, President, states, “ We are very honored and blessed to be a part of this inaugural loading of the Big Hope 1. Cancer has touched our staff and family very recently. Craig Sperry, a long time H & B employee, is a survivor of prostate cancer, but just lost his wife eight weeks ago to lung cancer. In our extended H& B Specialties, Inc. family, one of our farmers, Steve Gettlefinger, lost his battle four weeks ago.We are commited to the long haul with this project and plan to donate proceeds to this barge for many years to come.”
Dan, Craig, Mrs. Gettlefinger and family were present to drop the first corn into the pit to load the barge. Everyone associated with this barge has been touched from the seed dealers, to the farmers, the grain graders and lastly to the customer. Todd Armstrong, Agrigold, several farmers, and Debbie Marmon, representing Agrex, Inc. the buyer of the corn were also donors and present Monday. |
| Honoring the memory of Stephen Gettelfinger, farmer from Salem, IN. Stephen has grown corn for H&B Specialties and recently lost his fight with cancer. |
Left to Right:Todd Armstrong, Agrigold; Robert Rippey, Michael and Jillian, Kelsey, Theresa and Nathaniel Gettelfinger; Dan Heffelmire and Craig Sperry, H&B Specialties, Inc. |
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| Jim Strickland from Fredricksburg, IN was the first farmer to load food grade quality corn in BIG HOPE 1! | Left to Right: Dan Heffelmire, H&B Specialties, Inc; Dan McNeil, CGB; Todd Armstrong, Agrigold; Mark Mestemacher, CERES Barge Line, Theresa Gettelfinger, Craig Sperry, H&B Specialties, Inc; Debbie Marmon, Agrex |
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Mark Mestemacher, CERES Barge Line speaking on BIG HOPE 1 and how cancer has touched his life. Mary Crowley Cancer Research Centers will receive a percentage of the annual net earnings from BIG HOPE 1 for the first year. |
Dan McNeil from CGB stating their excitment to be iinvolved in the inaugural loading of BIG HOPE 1. Cancer has touched the lives of almost every CGB employee, and they are happy to join CERES Barge Line, H&B Specialties and others in supporting cancer research. |
