POMONA - Terry Dipple admits the fundraiser is a bit unorthodox,
but caring comes in many different forms.
"I realize tattoos aren't for everyone, and we never
push them, but if that's something you want, then you
can also help out a good cause," Dipple said of his
plans for his second annual Tattoos for the Cure.
The fundraiser is set for Saturday. It will run from noon
until midnight.
In addition to tattoos, Dipple is planning on a day of
art, music, food and charity. All proceeds will be donated
to the Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center
in Pomona.
For Dipple, the cause is personal. Last year, his fiancee
was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy
and underwent radiation treatment at the center.
He said he was so impressed by the care and support she
received there they felt they had to do something to help.
He does tattoos for a living. That's when he came up with
the idea for Saturday's event.
"The people at the cancer care center are awesome,
kind individuals who took such good care of my fiancee.
She was diagnosed in August 2008, and she was told she
was cancer-free in November. But this was something that
was on her mind and my mind so I came up with this,"
he said.
Ink'd Chronicles artists will spend 12 hours manning the
event. Every one of them is volunteering time.
The minimum tax-deductible donation is $80, depending
on the size and detail of the tattoo.
Piercings will be $35. Tattoos of pink breast cancer awareness
ribbons were extremely popular, he said, but artists will
listen to requests. Prices are negotiable.
"I expected the event to be successful, but I didn't
expect it to be so emotional," said Dipple, who got
his own pink ribbon tattoo and another one saying "45
More," referring to his fiancee's birthday.
"Moms came in. Daughters came in. Grandmothers came
in, and everyone seemed to have a story. I got tears in
my eyes listening to all of them, so I wanted to do this
again."
Many of his artists felt the same emotional tug. Dipple's
daughter, Tess, got a pink ribbon tattoo, and so did other
artists.
The event raised more than $4,000 last year. It was so
popular that the wait time was a bit long, he said. That's
why he's asked more volunteers to help.
"This is a fundraiser after all, so we want as many
people to come as possible, but this is also just a cool
thing," he said. "Our motto here at the shop
is that every tattoo has a story. That's especially true
with this event."
If tattoos just aren't for you, Dipple said, temporary
ones will be sold for a donation, too.
"If you just want to come out and participate, that's
fine, too. We'll have food and music. It will be a good
time," he said. A reception is planned from 7:30
to 11:30 p.m.
Appointments are helpful but not necessary. Corporate
and individual sponsors are needed, too.
Ink'd Chronicles is in the Pomona Arts Colony at 264 W.
Second Ave. For more information, call (909) 622-5351 |